High-protein diets for weight loss and their associations with bone status and diet quality in female college students
- Author:
Seon-Young PARK
1
;
Jee-Young YEON
;
Mi-Hyun KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Research Paper
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice 2026;20(2):317-332
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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 highprotein 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.
