Impact of Nutrition Counseling on Serum Calcium Levels and Bone Mineral Density of Menopausal Women

Sixty women of 45–55 years of age belonging to middle income group were selected on the basis of their Bone Mineral Density (BMD) from a reputed clinic in Ludhiana City. Serum calcium and BMD were tested using techniques called OCPC method and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, respectively. The subjects were given nutrition counseling twice a month for a period of 4 months. Assessment of nutritional status was done by dietary survey and anthropometric parameters before and after the intervention period. Dietary survey revealed that the daily intake of milk and milk products, roots and tubers, GLVs, other vegetables and fruits increased significantly whereas the intake of sugar & jaggery and fats & oils decreased significantly after nutrition counseling. There was significant increase in the intake of beta- carotene, niacin, vitamin C, iron, calcium and phosphorus after nutrition counseling. However, the intake of proteins, carotene and iron was less than the recommended dietary allowances. Body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) decreased significantly among the subjects after nutrition counseling. The biochemical assessment of the subjects revealed that their serum calcium levels and the t-score of the BMD value increased significantly. As a result, the percentage of osteoporotic subjects decreased from 33.33 to 20 per cent. The impact of nutrition counseling was also seen on the type of physical activity undertaken and time spent on the same by the subjects as well as on their overall nutrient intake.