Bone Density Among Punjabi Population

Bone density and the phenomens of bone loss with advanced age vary significantly across various populations. Collating data from various studies, including radiography of metacarpal bones, has revealed that Indians typically rank lower than other populations due to several factors, such as malnutrition, hormone related issues like hypothyroidism, genetic factors affecting bone growth and height, as well as malfunction in Vitamin D and calcium metabolism, along with diabetes. Thus, a study was conducted on the Punjabi population across all age groups, starting from the time of bone maturity. The findings clearly demonstrate poor acquisition of bone mass and pronounced bone loss in the elderly, with women exhibiting greater vulnerability compared to men in terms of poor bone strength and bone loss. This data holds significance for the development of public policies and healthcare initiatives aimed at addressing malnutrition, Vitamin D deficiency, and calcium issues from childhood to old age. Implementation of such measures could mitigate prevalent physical and mental health challenges in underdeveloped third-world countries like India. Despite facing similar challenges of poverty and malnutrition, the charts indicate that African populations exhibit higher bone density levels than Indian populations.