A Study on Nutrients Intake and Serum Calcium Concentration in Perimenopausal Women

갱년기 여성의 영양섭취상태와 혈청 Ca 농도에 관한 연구

This study was conducted to investigate the status of calcium intake and serum calcium level in perimenopausal women. The age distribution of the subjects was 49-55 years. Daily nutrient intake and dietary sources of calcium were analyzed by a convenient method and a food frequency questionnaire. At the same time, fasting blood samples were collected and serum calcium concentration was measured. The BMD of subjects was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Fifty percent of the subjects under 50 years of age ($\leq$49 yr group) and 66.9% of the subjects from 50 years and up ($\geq$50 yr group) were classified as osteopenia or osteoporosis. Intake of energy (p<0.001), protein (p<0.05), fat (p<0.05), calcium (p<0.01) was significantly different between $\leq$49 yr group and $\geq$50 yr group. Mean daily intake of calcium was much lower than the Korean RDA : 94.9% in $\leq$49 yr group and 87.4% in $\geq$50 yr group. The average concentration of total calcium in serum was within the normal range in $\leq$49 yr group. Serum calcium concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) different between $\leq$49 yr group and $\geq$50 yr group. It was noteworthy that serum calcium concentration was positively related to the intake of protein, fat and calcium. Lettuce, sea mustard, bean-curd, anchovy, radish and perilla leaf was included among the major sources of dietary calcium. Further investigation is necessary to make sure of the relations between BMD and serum calcium level and calcium intake.