Prediction of bone mineral density and content from measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior in younger and older females

•Data were obtained from the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.•Self-report physical activity and sedentary behavior of females were analyzed.•Daily physical activity was associated with better bone health in adolescent girls.•Sedentary time was predictive of femoral bone health in older women.•Age-targeted activity programs are warranted to improve bone health in females.

BackgroundLittle is known regarding the extent to which physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) influence bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in females across the lifespan.MethodsData from 2232 females aged 12 years and older collected as part of the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Categories of PA and SB were used to predict femoral and spinal BMD and BMC in four age groups (G1: 12–17; G2: 18–39; G3: 40–64; G4: ≥ 65 years). Self-reported PA categories included sufficient moderate-to-vigorous recreational PA (S-MVRPA) and insufficient MVRPA (I-MVRPA).ResultsG1 females who accumulated S-MVRPA displayed greater femoral and spinal BMC and BMD compared to G1 females who displayed I-MVRPA. For G4 females, higher levels of SB were associated with lower femoral BMC and BMD.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of engaging in sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during adolescence and reducing sedentary behavior in older adults to improve bone health in females.