Bone development and vitamin D

Healthy Omani children are to be the sample of a new study aimed at assessing their health-related physical fitness components. Hundred and fifty children between 5 and 20 years old will be recruited from Muscat vicinity to examine a number of aspects related to their bone density, bone development and levels of vitamin D, among others. Dr Hashem al Ghaylani, of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, SQU, summarises the procedures to be followed in his examining those children. He says that they will be tested to see their vitamin D level using blood sample; their range body composition (BMD, FAT, LEAN MASS) status will be determined; their psychological status using Beck Depression Inventory will be assessed; a profile of their data based on active/inactive, depress/non-depress, according to vitamin D and BMD status will be sought; and an exercise programme for those who show sign of lack of fitness will be prescribed. He adds that data gathering will be done in line with the standards of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance. Recent studies have shown that exercise is just as important as diet for bone development and maintenance. This is true throughout childhood and adolescence, but especially more important around the growth spurt at puberty. Because nutrition and exercise are modifiable pathogenic factors of osteoporosis, which has important practical and public health implications, it is therefore crucial to increase bone density and bone development in children and up to age 20, the peak bone development. Thus, active life style and physical activity are necessary for children and adults. Many people in Oman do not expose their skin to sunlight due to the modern society they are living in, avoiding heat through shade and by means of air conditioning whether at home, work, or in cars with shield windows. For both sexes, if they have to be outside for any reason they cover both head and body with traditional clothing. Children who are kept safe from sun exposure spend a great deal of time indoors with video hi-tech games, computers, play stations, and watching TV. A tendency to become depressed is a probability to occur. The question of this study raised is whether those children who have higher fitness level are less susceptible to be deficient in vitamin D and BMD. It is expected from the results of this pilot case study to stand on certain facts and to expand this research to represent the completely Omani population in the future.