I finally got in to see the poster presentation I referred to
earlier this week.  I took some notes for you all (below). I don't
have any more information than what is below other than knowing that
this is part of a much larger study. These children were presumably 8
or 9 years old at the time their bone mass was studied.  The authors
are linking bone mass at this age to risk of osteoporosis in later
life. Interesting that the children's diet at the time of the study
was the least significant factor. We can look forward to seeing this
study published in due course

Ros Escott
----------------------------

"Determinants of bone mass in prepubertal children: antenatal,
neonatal and current information." G Jones, D Couper, M Riley, C
Goff, T Dwyer.  Menzies Centre. Poster presentation, Medical Research
Week, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia.

EXTRACT from poster presentation:

Study of 330 Tasmanian children born in 1988 (part of a major SIDS
population study).  215 males, 115 females.   54% were breastfed.

The main factors that emerged as significant determinants of
prepubertal bone mass were maternal calcium intake (pregnancy) and
breastfeeding duration.

At all sites studied (spine, hip, total body) children who were
breastfed have a bone mass that is 3-5% higher than those who were
not breastfed. A duration effect is most evident at the spine, but
was also present, after adjusting for birthweight, at the total
body.

Extract from conclusions:
Both early life (diet, maternal smoking, birthweight and
breastfeeding in first 6-12 months) as well as current factors
(anthropometrics, fitness, winter sunlight exposure and to a lesser
extent diet) all appeared important.