High levels of bone resorption are associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures⁽Reference Cauley, Danielson and Greendale¹⁾. The aim of the present study was to examine the predictive ability of diet and anthropometric factors in explaining bone resorption levels. This analysis used summer data for serum vitamin D status (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]), dietary nutrient intake, and anthropometry from the 2006–7 D-FINES Study (funded by the FSA, project N05064). This was a year-long study which investigated n = 375 Surrey dwelling Caucasian and South Asian women (aged 18–65 years) in four seasons of the year. Dietary intake was assessed using 4 d estimated food diaries. Dietary protein to potassium ratio was included as an estimation of net acid excretion⁽Reference Frassetto, Todd and Morris²⁾. Bone resorption levels were measured by assessment of Cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen [uNTX], from urine samples (funded by a grant from the National Osteoporosis Society (2011)). This was measured using the automated analyser Vitros ECi, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (Rochester NY, USA) and adjusted for creatinine excretion. Multiple regression analysis examined the predictive ability of age, body mass index (BMI), log 25(OH)D and energy adjusted dietary calcium and vitamin D intakes in explaining uNTX (Table). 25(OH)D was log transformed to normalise distribution.

* = Unstandardised; ** = Standardised; BMI = Body mass index; adj. = adjusted; Prot. = Protein; K = Potassium.

In South Asians, the model explained 27·1% of variance in uNTX, with the only statistically significant parameters being log 25(OH)D (p < 0·001) and energy adjusted dietary calcium (p = 0·01). There was no significant predictive ability of age or BMI in explaining uNTX. In Caucasians, the model explained 11·6% of uNTX, with age (p < 0·001) and BMI (p = 0·04) being the only statistically significant predictors. Age and BMI not being predictors of bone resorption levels is the South Asian group is surprising, as postmenopausal women are known to have much higher levels of uNTX than premenopausal women. This finding is novel and warrants further investigation as if not offset by increased bone formation, this increased bone resorption may indicate a serious detriment to the bone health of premenopausal Asian women. This analysis suggests that dietary calcium and vitamin D status are potentially important factors for bone health in South Asian women particularly, who might benefit from public health measures to increase calcium intake and reduce vitamin D deficiency.