Dietary Calcium Intake and Association with Serum Calcium in Healthy Urban North Indian Adults: The Calcium-Chandigarh Urban Bone Epidemiological Study.

Abstract

Introduction: Data on dietary calcium intake (DCI) from healthy North Indian adults are limited. Hence, the present study aims to assess DCI in healthy community-dwelling adults residing in an affluent North Indian city and correlate with serum biochemical parameters.

Methods: Healthy men and women were recruited from the community by door-to-door surveys. Serum total calcium, phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and iPTH were estimated. DCI was assessed by recalling the diet consumed in the previous 7 days.

Results: A total of 291 participants were included (mean age = 39.4 ± 12.9 years). The mean (± standard deviation) and median (inter-quartile range) DCI were 392.6 ± 169.1 mg/day and 391 (274-518) mg/day, respectively. DCI was higher in men compared with women. Only 21.3% of participants had DCI more than RDA (600 mg/day). Serum calcium was found to be significantly higher across each quartile of DCI. On multiple linear regression analysis, DCI emerged as an independent positive predictor of serum total calcium.

Conclusion: DCI is low in urban Indians. Promotion of consumption of dairy products and fortification of commonly consumed foods with calcium is needed.