Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High-protein diets are increasingly used by young women for weight loss; however, concerns have been raised regarding their potential impact on bone health under insufficient calcium intake. This study investigated the associations between high-protein diet use for weight loss and bone status and diet quality among female college students. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 260 female college students residing in Chungcheong, Korea, participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, 24-h dietary recall, and calcaneal ultrasound assessment. Participants were classified according to self-reported weight loss attempts during the past year into non-weight control (NWC; n = 108) and weight control (WC; n = 152) groups. The WC group was further subdivided into high-protein diet (HP-WC; n = 82) and non-high-protein diet (NHP-WC; n = 70) groups on the basis of high-protein diet practices. RESULTS: The mean body weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly greater in the WC group than in the NWC group (P < 0.001 for both). Although calcium intake was significantly lower in the HP-WC group, protein intake exceeded the recommended level more frequently in this group (P < 0.05). A dietary diversity score less than 3 was more common in the HP-WC group (P < 0.05). Osteopenia prevalence was highest in the NWC group (64.8%), followed by the HP-WC group (50.0%) and the NHP-WC group (41.4%; P < 0.05). After adjustment for BMI and other confounding factors, the bone quality index and speed of sound values were significantly lower in the HP-WC group than in the NHP-WC group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that high-protein weight-control practices may be associated with less favorable bone parameters among female college students during early adulthood, particularly in the context of lower calcium intake and reduced dietary diversity.