Table 3.
Multiple linear regression analyses of dietary intake of omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids, omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, and ratio of n-6 to n-3 intake related to bone mineral density
| Dietary variable | Whole body BMD Z score β ± SE | Spine BMD β ± SE |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary n-6, 18:2 FA Percent total calories, %1 | −0.14 ± 0.06 (0.02) | −0.01 ± 0.008 (0.07) |
| Dietary n-3, 18:3 FA Percent total calories, %1 | −0.35 ± 0.38 (0.37) | −0.05 ± 0.05 (0.32) |
| Ratio 18:2 FA to 18:3 FA | −0.07 ± 0.04 (0.13) | −0.006 ± 0.006 (0.30) |
1
Results are consistent for gm/1000 kcal intake; FA, fatty acids; BMD, bone mineral density
All analyses are adjusted for age, race, sex, and body mass index.
Intake of dietary omega-6, 18:2 fatty acids and omega-3, 18:3 fatty acids includes intake from supplements