Abstract
Background/Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional intake (energy, protein, calcium, number of meals, number of dairy products) and other factors (physical activity, past fractures, body composition) with forearm bone parameters in adolescent boys with myelomeningocele (MMC). Methods: This study included 63 boys with MMC aged 11.9 ± 1.8 years, 30 active boys with MMC and 33 inactive boys with MMC. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in the distal (dis) and proximal (prox) parts of the forearm were measured by densitometry. Diet was assessed using an FFQ and 24 h dietary recalls. Energy, protein, and calcium intake were calculated using the Diet 6.0 software. Data were collected on past fractures and physical activity (PA min/day). Results: The active MMC group, compared to the inactive group, had significantly higher BMD dis and prox, BMC dis, and Z-scores (Hedges' g: medium effect). Significant relationships between BMD dis were demonstrated with the number of dairy products (n/day) (F = 6.66; η(2) = 0.116) and protein intake (g/day) (F = 15.27; η(2) = 0.230). BMC dis was affected only by PA (min/day) (F = 9.80; η(2) = 0.161). The parameters affecting BMD prox were the number of dairy products (n/day) (F = 9.95; η(2) = 0.163) and protein (g/day) (F = 12.95; η(2) = 0.202). BMC prox was affected only by PA (min/day) (F = 4.39; η(2) = 0.079). Conclusions: Overall, bone health in boys with MMC appears to be primarily influenced by nutritional factors-particularly dairy intake and protein-as well as by physical activity. These results underscore the need for early nutritional screening and further research on additional bone-related dietary components to optimize nutritional recommendations for this population.