Vitamin D may be associated with a lower risk of developing stress fractures in preadolescent and adolescent girls, especially among those very active in high-impact activities, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
In a prospective cohort study, Kendrin R. Sonneville, ScD, RD, and colleagues investigated the dairy, calcium and vitamin D intakes of 6,712 girls aged 9 years to 15 years, according to the study abstract. Intakes were assessed by food frequency questionnaires every 12 months to 24 months between 1996 and 2001.
According to the abstract, 3.9% of the girls in the cohort developed a stress fracture during the 7-year follow-up. Vitamin D intake, the authors noted, was found to be inversely related to the risk of stress fracture.
“In contrast, there was no evidence that calcium and dairy intakes were protective against developing a stress fracture or that soda intake was predictive of an increased risk of stress fracture or confounded the association between dairy, calcium or vitamin D intakes and fracture risk,” the authors wrote.
The abstract noted that the association between vitamin D intake and lower risk of stress fracture was particularly prevalent in girls who participated in at least 1 hour of high-impact activity per day.
“Further studies are needed to ascertain whether vitamin D intake from supplements confers a similarly protective effect as vitamin D consumed through dietary intake,” the authors wrote.
For more information:
Sonneville KR, Gordon CM, Kocher MS, et al. Vitamin D, calcium, and dairy intakes and stress fractures among female adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adloesc Med. Published online March 5, 2012. doi: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2012.5
