An exploratory study of calcium intake, physical activity, estradiol levels, and bone density in childhood cancer survivors and healthy young adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the calcium intake, physical activity levels, estradiol levels and bone densities of the lumbar spine and hip in childhood cancer survivors and healthy young adults 18 to 30 years of age. A convenience sample of 48 adults, including childhood cancer survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 28) and healthy friends of the survivor (n = 20), were matched for age and gender (males = 22; females = 26). The sample was recruited from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Data gathered from participants included: anthropometric data; calcium intake (CI) as assessed by the Willett semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire; level of physical activity (PA) based on the Modified Physical Activity Questionnaire; blood samples for estradiol; and bone densities (BD) of the lumbar spine L1-4 and 5 regions of the proximal femur as measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. CI, PA, estradiol levels, body mass index (BMI) and BD were compared by group (survivor and control) and gender using SPSS to perform data analyses using independent samples t-tests and analysis of variance.; Results indicated that female childhood cancer survivors had BMIs that were significantly higher statistically than male cancer survivors or controls F (1, 48) = 2.82, p = .10. There were no significant differences in calcium intakes by group or gender. PA levels were significantly different with an interaction based on group and gender. Male controls had higher levels than male survivors and female survivors had higher levels of PA than female controls F(1, 48) = 6.70, p = .01. Hip BD in males was significantly higher than those in females F(1, 47) = 5.29, p = .03, although there were no statistically significant differences by group or gender in spine BD.; Findings in this study are supported by similar research in childhood cancer survivors regarding elevated BMIs and decreased physical activity levels. Bone density in young adults regardless of whether they are a childhood cancer survivor or healthy young adult remains a priority for further research and development of intervention programs by nurses and other health professionals.