We studied the relationship between dieting and bone density among female college students and the current state thereof. Female college students are generally thin, with the time to giving birth and raising the next generation approaching. We expect the results of this study will be useful in improving health guidance. The subjects consisted of 124 female college students. Their average age was 21.4. The ultrasonic propagation velocity of the heel bone was measured as the bone density value. Body height, weight, and BMI (Body mass index) were also measured. Further, a multiple choice and short answer survey was conducted regarding their desire to be thin and dieting. Classifying the subjects by BMI, 16 students were underweight (13%), 102 students were of normal weight (84%), and 4 students were overweight (3%). 95% of those in the normal weight group had a desire to be thin, while 44% of the underweight group had a desire to be thin. Moreover, 31% of those in the normal weight group were currently on a diet, while 21% of the underweight group was also on a diet. The distribution of bone density (%YAM value: Young Adult Mean) was as follows: 61 students (49%) were in the high density group (≥100); 58 students (47%) were in the middle density group (≥80 - <100); and 5 students (4%) were in the low density group (<80). The more the bone density decreased, the greater the proportion of students with dieting experience. Among students with no dieting experience, the %YAM value was high when the BMI value was high. All of the students in the low density group had a desire to be thin, even though their bone density was low. Students who do not need to be thin had a desire to be thin and were considering continuing dieting going forward. Moreover, some students fell into the %YAM low density group, which is worrisome for the future. It is believed necessary to reinforce health guidance regarding dieting and bone density in school education. In particular, it is necessary to improve guidance since we observed a lack of knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention.
Body Mass Index Desire to Be Thin Dieting Bone Density Female College Student1. Introduction
In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency among young females to be thin [1] . If losing weight becomes more serious, it may lead to ovarian insufficiencies such as irregular menstruation and amenorrhea, along with physical symptoms such as osteoporosis, anemia, and hair loss. It may also lead to diseases such as anorexia nervosa [2] . This problem regarding body thinness is now appearing in those of a younger age than ever [3] . Losing weight in an unhealthy way (when the growth curve of weight is downward crossing for one channel or more) is significantly increasing among females in junior high school and high school [4] [5] .
Although studies on the relationship between eating behaviors, self-esteem and the desire to be thin can be found in previous studies [6] [7] [8] , there are few studies on how these distorted perceived body shapes, that can be considered to be a cause of the desire to be thin, affect the bone density.
Therefore, school nurses have to provide students with adequate health guidance. We studied the relation between dieting and bone density among female college students and the current state thereof. They are generally thin, with the time to giving birth and raising the next generation approaching. We expect the results of this study will be useful in improving health guidance.
2. Methods
The subjects consisted of 124 female college students. A sufficient number of subjects and average female college students were sorted out from this study in line with other similar studies [9] [10] . Their average age was 21.4. All data in the present study were collected in November 2017 at a university in the middle area of Kyusyu. Each of the participants lived in the area surrounding the university. Females with a history of treatment or therapy that might have influenced their bone mass were excluded. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Epidemiological Studies at Yamagata Prefectural Yonezawa University of Nutrition Sciences.
Since we were conducting a survey having to do with physical condition, we were careful in regards to privacy. Specifically, we explained to students that the answers and test results would be anonymous when statistically processed and that the information would not be shared to third parties, with students who gave their consent used as subjects.
The ultrasonic propagation velocity of the heel bone, SOS (m/sec) (Speed of Sound), was measured by ultrasound using a bone densitometry device (CM-200 from Canon). Moreover, we compared the current bone density (%) of the students by setting the average bone density of healthy females from 20 - 44 years old as 100%, then calculated the %YAM (Young Adult Mean) value in order to use the results for all analyses below. Body height, weight, and BMI (Body mass index) were also measured when measuring the ultrasonic propagation velocity of the heel bone. The survey items were as follows: attitude towards dieting; dieting experience; current situation regarding dieting; and surrounding people who are on a diet.
In the analysis of this study, we measured the data of the survey results with a level of significance of 5%. As for the method of statistical analysis, we used a chi-squared test along with calculation of the correlation function and analysis thereof.
3. Results
Table 1 shows the physical characteristics of the subjects. The mean age was 21.4 ± 3.2 (range: 20 - 44 years). The average height of the subjects was 158.1 ± 5.5 cm. The average weight of the subjects was 51.8 ± 6.9 kg. The average BMI was 20.8 ± 2.3 kg/m2. The average bone density (SOS value) was 1538.8 ± 29.3 m/sec, while the average bone density (%YAM value) was 100.6% ± 16.1%.
BMI was categorized into three groups in accordance with the value thereof: an “underweight group” for less than 18.5; a “normal weight group” for 18.5 or more and less than 25; and an “overweight group” for 25 or more [9] . The distribution of the subjects was as follows: 16 students were in the underweight group (13%); 102 students were in the normal weight group (84%); and 4 students were in the overweight group (3%) (Table 2).
Bone density (%YAM value) was classified into three groups: a low density group (<80); a middle density group (≥80 - <100); and a high density group (≥100) [9] . The distribution of the subjects was as follows: 5 students in the low density group (4%); 58 students in the middle density group (47%); and 61 students in the high density group (49%) (Table 3).
Analyzing the relation between each BMI group and bone density, it was found that 50% of those in the overweight group were in the high density group, while the other 50% were in the middle density group, with no one in the overweight group in the low density group (Table 4). Regarding the normal weight group and underweight group, the high density group and the middle density group added up to 90% or more. However, those in the low density group were observed in both groups, with 4% in the normal weight group and 6% in the underweight group. The results of the chi-squared test to see if there is a relation between BMI groups and bone density indicated no significant difference.
Analyzing the relationship between BMI and the desire to be thin, it was found that 90% or more of those in the normal weight group had a desire to be thin (Table 5). Moreover, among students in the underweight group, 44% of them had a desire to be thinner despite the fact that they were already in the underweight group. The results of the chi-squared test to see if there is a relation between the BMI groups and the presence of the desire to be thin indicated a significant difference (p < 0.01).
Analyzing the relationship between the presence of the desire to be thin and bone density, it was found that 53 students in the high density group had a desire to be thin (87%), while 52 students in the middle density group had a desire to be thin (89%) (Table 6). Moreover, 5 students in the low density group had a desire to be thin (100%). The results of the chi-squared test to see if there is a relation between the bone density groups and the presence of the desire to be thin indicated no significant difference.
67 students had dieting experience (54%), while 57 students had no dieting experience (46%) (Table 7). Analyzing BMI and the presence of dieting experience, in the underweight group, it was found that 5 students had dieting experience (31%), while 11 students had no dieting experience (69%). In the normal weight group, 59 students had dieting experience (57%), while 45 students had no dieting experience (43%). In the overweight group, 3 students had dieting experience (75%), while 1 student had no dieting experience (25%). The results of chi-squared test to see if there is a relation between BMI groups and the presence of dieting experience indicated a significant difference (p < 0.01).
We analyzed the relationship between the presence of dieting experience and bone density. In the high density group, 29 students had no dieting experience (48%), while 32 students had dieting experience (52%) (Table 8). In the middle density group, 27 students had no dieting experience (47%), while 31 students had dieting experience (53%). All students in the low density group had dieting experience, meaning 5 students had experience (100%).
We calculated the correlation coefficient and analyzed it in order to see the correlation between BMI and bone density. The correlation coefficient in the group of students with dieting experience was r = −0.051, meaning there was no correlation. The correlation coefficient in the group of students with no dieting experience was r = 0.217, demonstrating a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05).
Physical characteristics of the subjects
Number of people (persons)
124
Age (years)
21.4 ± 3.2
Height (cm)
158.1 ± 5.5
Weight (kg)
51.8 ± 6.9
BMI (Body Mass Index) (kg/m2)
20.8 ± 2.3
%YAM (Young Adult Mean) (%)
100.6 ± 16.1
SOS (Speed of Sound) (m/sec)
1538.8 ± 29.3
The number of students and percentage by BMI group
Underweight (<18.5)
Normal weight (≥18.5 - <25)
Overweight (≥25)
BMI Group
16 students 13%
104 students 84%
4 students 3%
The number of students and percentage by bone density (%YAM value)
Low density (<80)
Middle density (≥80 - <100)
High density (≥100)
Bone density (%YAM value) group
5 students 4%
58 students 47%
61 students 49%
The number of students and the percentage of the number of students by BMI groups classified by bone density (%YAM value)
Bone density (%YAM value) group BMI Group
Low density 5 students
Middle density 58 students
High density 61 students
Underweight 16 students
1 student 6%
8 students 50%
7 students 44%
Normal weight 104 students
4 students 4%
48 students 46%
52 students 50%
Overweight 4 students
0 students 0%
2 students 50%
2 students 50%
The number of students and the percentage of the number of students by BMI groups classified by the presence of the desire to be thin
BMI Group
Have a desire to be thin 110 students 89%
Have no desire to be thin 14 students 11%
Underweight 16 students
7 students 44%
9 students 56%
Normal weight 104 students
99 students 95%
5 students 5%
Overweight 4 students
4 students 100%
0 students 0%
The number of students and the percentage of the number of students by bone density (%YAM value) groups classified by the presence of the desire to be thin
Bone density (%YAM value) group
Have a desire to be thin 110 students 89%
Have no desire to be thin 14 students 11%
High density 61 students
53 students 87%
8 students 13%
Middle density 58 students
52 students 89%
6 students 11%
Low density 5 students
5 students 100%
0 students 0%
The number of students and the percentage of the number of students by BMI groups classified by the presence of dieting experience
BMI Group
Have dieting experience 67 students 54%
Have no dieting experience 57 students 46%
Underweight 16 students
5 students 31%
11 students 69%
Normal weight 104 students
59 students 57%
45 students 43%
Overweight 4 students
3 students 75%
1 student 25%
The number of students and the percentage of the number of students by bone density (%YAM value) classified by the presence of dieting experience
Bone density (%YAM value) group
Have dieting experience 67 students 54%
Have no dieting experience 57 students 46%
High density 61 students
32 students 52%
29 students 48%
Middle density 58 students
30 students 52%
28 students 48%
Low density 5 students
5 students 100%
0 students 0%
4. Discussion
There was a tendency towards less underweight students and more normal weight students among the female college students participating in our study. However, they tended to misunderstand their self evaluation regarding their bodies. 95% of those in the normal weight group had a desire to be thin, while 44% of the underweight group had a desire to be thin. Moreover, more than half of the students had dieting experience, with 31% of those in the normal weight group and 21% of those in the underweight group currently on a diet. In other words, we found a tendency for the number of students with dieting experience to increase as the BMI value rises [9] [10] . However, there is a concern regarding being extremely underweight since the percentage of students in the underweight group with dieting experience reached up to 31%. In addition, the frequency of conversations regarding losing weight was higher in the underweight group and normal weight group, despite there being no need for them to lose weight. Therefore, it is thought that students who do not need to be thin had a desire to be thin, meaning they will potentially continue to go on a diet. The media, influence from their surroundings such as families and friends, and a decline in self-esteem are the factors that influence them to take these actions of losing weight and impact their body image [11] [12] . The influence of information, recognition, and images that the media provides people is believed to be huge. Information magazines, radio, and TV that emphasize “slimness” may force females to lose weight and provoke restrictions on their diet in order to gain self-satisfaction and a more beautiful appearance [13] . Therefore, the desire to be thin is thought to be influenced by the slim bodies that appear on TV and in magazines. Among individuals with dieting experience, in a survey regarding their motives when they first decided to go on a diet, it was found that 27% of them started to lose weight due to the influence of those by whom they were surrounded. Thus, it can be said that the influence of those surrounding them, such as family members and friends, is huge. Moreover, it can also be said that some people start to go on diets because their evaluations of their own bodies are low, in other words, they have low self-esteem of their own bodies.
There are several limitations associated with the present study. First, the number of subjects was small. Therefore, larger studies are needed in order to obtain more detailed information regarding bone density in the future. Second, the questionnaire used in this study is one that addresses self-perceived bone health. In the future, it will be necessary to collect more in-depth information.
It is necessary to provide health guidance that allows them to correctly understand their own bodies in the growth phase. If they go on a diet due to wrongly understanding their own bodies, this may lead to harmful effects such as osteoporosis and amenorrhea [14] [15] . The age of the subjects was the age when their bone density is the highest in their lives, thus a bone density of <80 at their age may come with a risk of osteoporosis in the future. As a result of this study, we found that as bone density gets lower, the percentage of students with dieting experience increases. Among the subjects with no dieting experience, we found a tendency for the bone density to be higher as the BMI value increased. In addition, since all of the students in the low density group had a desire to be thin despite the fact that their bone density was low, osteoporosis in the future is of concern with a decline in BMI starting from dieting embodied by their desire to be thin.
It can be said that female college students go on a diet mostly by restricting their diets. However, previous studies reported that dieting only by dietary restrictions may lead to eating disorders, along with the fact that the body fat percentage is higher in individuals with no dieting experience, since dietary restrictions do not affect reductions in body fat [16] . Moreover, dieting only by dietary restrictions leads to a failure to intake necessary nutrition and comes with a risk of losing muscle mass along with a high possibility of regaining weight [17] . Upon conducting an analysis regarding regaining weight by comparing the regaining proportion of subjects who lost less than 1 kg in one week and the proportion of subjects who lost more than 1 kg in one week, we observed a significant difference (data not shown). This indicates that the possibility of regaining weight increases when losing more than 1 kg in one week by dieting.
It is important to reinforce healing guidance among female college students in their secondary growth phase while they are able to gain maximum bone mass and their body shapes change drastically. Furthermore, upon conducting a survey to see if the subjects have basic knowledge on bone density, we observed a lack of knowledge, with approximately 20% of students giving all correct answers (data not shown). Given that, it is believed necessary to reinforce health guidance regarding dieting and bone density in school education. When providing health guidance regarding dieting and bone density in schools, it is believed important to do so not via a school nurse alone but with a nutrition educator and P.E. teacher. A well-balanced diet and moderate exercise are essential for osteoporosis prevention. By cooperating with a nutrition educator and P.E. Teacher who have technical knowledge in these fields, it is possible to provide better health guidance.
5. Conclusion
This time, we conducted a survey regarding the relationship between dieting and bone density among female college students and the current state thereof. While many of the subjects had a desire to be thin, many of them did not need to be thin. We found that even now, subjects who do not need to be thin continue to remain on a diet, with some dieting in an extreme way. Therefore, 1) Maintain a regular lifestyle, eating three meals a day without skipping. 2) Try to make energy consumption supersede energy intake. 3) Eat good balanced meals without being picky. 4) Eat a variety of food, not only particular foods. 5) Eat slowly and chew well. 6) Combine diet and exercise. 7) Do not set strict goals, but lose weight over longer periods. 8) Learn the influence on bones and bone structure when dieting. 9) Learn the phase when bone mass can be acquired most, along with long-term changes in bone density. 10) Learn necessary diet and exercise to prevent osteoporosis. Students should be instructed on these 10 items. In addition, it is necessary to cooperate with a nutrition educator and P.E. teacher with technical knowledge in the fields of diet and exercise in order to provide better health guidance.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Cite this paper
Omasu, F., Aishima, K., Nasu, M., Hisatsugu, Y., Fuchigami, K. and Gotoh, T. (2019) Discussion on the Relationship between Dieting and Bone Density among Female College Students and the Health Guidance. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 9, 11-19. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2019.92002
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