Association Between Self-Reported Lactose Intolerance, Additional Environmental Factors, and Bone Mineral Density in Young Adults.

Objectives: This study examines the relationship between self-reported lactose intolerance (LI), environmental factors, and their effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults from Slovakia.

Methods: We assessed 985 adults aged 18-30 years, with an average age of 21.61 ± 2.32 years, who were enrolled in this pilot cross-sectional study during the period 2019-2023. Individual environmental factors (smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, milk and milk product intake, and calcium intake) and self-reported LI were assessed using a detailed questionnaire. BMD was analyzed using the QUS device (Sunlight MiniOmni), and total weight was measured with the InBody 770 bioimpedance analyzer.

Results: Linear regression analysis showed the independent influence of age, total weight, and the presence of LI on the speed of sound in meters per second (SOS; m/s) and Z-score parameters in women (p < 0.05), whereas in men, age and smoking status were significant predictors of SOS (p < 0.05), and age and LI status significantly influenced the Z-score (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: In the present study of young Slovak adults, the presence of self-reported LI and smoking had a negative effect on BMD, resulting in lower BMD in the radius.