Associations between smoking, alcohol consumption and bone quality in young adults

Abstract

Background: The effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on bone health in older adults are well established, nonetheless their influence on bone quality in young adults remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between bone quality, alcohol consumption, and smoking, considering the influence of physical activity (PA) and body composition.

Subjects and methods: The sample included 1001 Slovak men and women aged 18–30 years (mean age 22±2.35 years). Bone quality was assessed using a quantitative ultrasound device (Sunlight MiniOmni™), which provided Z-score values. Body composition variables, including skeletal muscle mass (SMM, kg) and percent body fat (PBF, %), were measured with a bioimpedance analyser (InBody 770). Lifestyle behaviours such as alcohol consumption, smoking habits and PA were collected using the WHO STEPS 2014 questionnaire.

Results: Regression analysis revealed that the duration of alcohol consumption favourably impacted bone quality Z-scores (β = 0.172, p < 0.001), whereas the number of cigarettes smoked was negatively associated with (β = −0.113, p = 0.042). The SNHA results confirmed the positive association with alcohol (r = 0.19), while for smoking (r = 0.23) inconsistent results were observed, suggesting an apparently positive effect likely mediated by the relationship with alcohol consumption.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use are associated with bone tissue quality in young adults; however, the mixed evidence observed in this, and previous studies highlights the need for further research to clarify the biological and behavioural mechanisms involved.