Impact of Curriculum-Based Bone Loading and Nutrition Education Program on Bone Accrual in Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of jumping activities and nutrition education on bone accretion in prepubescents. Fourth-grade children were divided into four groups: jumping (n = 61), nutrition (n = 9), jumping plus nutrition (n = 14), and control (n = 28). Interventions spanned the fourth and fifth grade academic years. Assessments were gathered at 0, 8 and 20 months. Baseline BMD values were (mean ± SD): lumbar (0.752 ± 0.095 g/cm2), neck (0.794 ± 0.089 g/cm2) and total (0.907 ± 0.060 g/cm2). There was a significant increase in BMD over time. However, the interventions produced no significant effects. Twice weekly jumping and/or biweekly nutrition education did not influence bone accrual.