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The article presents a study which focused on the bone mineral density (BMD) in young healthy Canadian women. The researchers also examined whether factors associated with bone health in older women are also associated with BMD in young women. A sample of female undergraduate students in the Applied Human Nutrition program at the University of Guelph, Ontario were used. Results from the study suggested the need of young women to avoid too much sedentary activity.

The study discusses a research that compared resting metabolic rate (RMR) measured by indirect calorimetry with RMR predicted by several published formulas in healthy young women. RMR was measured using indirect calorimetry and predicted using 6 commonly used equations in 47 women, and comparisons between measured versus predicted RMR were made using paired t-tests and agreement using correlation analysis techniques. Results show that all six equations overestimated RMR by 140-738 Kcal/d, and none should be used interchangeably with measured RMR.

Abdominal fat increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Despite a higher prevalence of CVD in the chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) population, abdominal fat in those with vs. without SCI has not been determined. Our objectives were to (1) compare total (TAT), visceral (VAT), subcutaneous (SAT) and the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous (V/S) abdominal adipose tissue in adults with chronic SCI with that of age-, sex- and waist circumference (WC)-matched able-bodied (AB) controls; and (2) determine the relationship between WC and VAT in both groups. 28 adults (14 SCI, 14 AB) participated in this cross-sectional study. Abdominal fat was quantified by computed tomography. WC was measured at three sites (lowest rib, iliac crest, midpoint between the two). The V/S ratio was 45% greater in the SCI vs. AB group (0.48±0.23 vs. 0.33±0.14, p<0.05). After adjusting for differences in body weight, TAT and SAT were not different, however VAT was 64% greater in the SCI group (p<0.01). WC at all sites was associated with VAT in both groups (SCI: 0.863 ≤ r ≤ 0.892, AB: 0.821 ≤ r ≤ 0.852, both p<0.001). Analysis of metabolic risk factors is in progress. The higher VAT and V/S ratio may explain, in part, the higher prevalence of CVD in those with SCI. WC appears to be a valid surrogate measure of VAT in this population, providing a tool for clinicians to identify those at risk for CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]