Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study

Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study

To volunteer, please call

212-523-KIDS

ST. LUKEíS-ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL CENTER
1111 AMSTERDAM AVENUE
NY, NY 10025
212-523-KIDS

WHAT IS THE BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN CHILDHOOD STUDY (BMDCS)?
A national research study to establish the first normal standards of bone density for American children and adolescents. This will help prevent osteoporosis, which is also known as ìbrittle bones.î This project is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is being done in five research centers across the United States, one of which is the Body Composition Unit of St. Lukeís-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University.

HOW IS BONE MINERAL DENSITY MEASURED?
Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) measures bone density. This is safe and painless. DXA scans the body while the participant lies comfortably on a bed. This takes about 20 minutes.

WHAT WILL I HAVE TO DO DURING THE STUDY VISIT?
In addition to the DXA scans, you will be asked to fill out three questionnaires (about health, physical activity and eating habits), have a hand x-ray and a brief physical examination. The study visit takes about two hours.

HOW MANY STUDY VISITS ARE THERE?
There are a total of four visits. After the first visit, you will be asked to come back to the Body Composition Unit once a year for three years.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE BMDCS?
Healthy children ages six to sixteen who meet the study entry requirements, who are interested in contributing their time, and whose parents give consent for their participation.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE BMDCS?
The BMDCS will not benefit the health of the volunteers, but there are both long term and short term benefits from this study.

Long term benefit:
* New growth curves for bone density that pediatricians will use to identify children who are at risk for future osteoporosis, or ìbrittle bones.î

Short term benefits:
* You will feel pride and satisfaction for your contribution to this important project.
* You will receive a cash reimbursement for your contribution.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health.

BACK TO STUDIES PAGE
OBESITY RESEARCH CENTER HOME PAGE