Estimated net endogenous acid production and intake of bone health-related nutrients in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents

Background/Objectives: To examine the daily intake of bone health-related nutrients and to explore the association between diet composition and estimated net endogenous acid production (estimated NEAP) in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Subject/Methods: In total, 171 boys and 180 girls aged 10-12 years of Chinese origin from nine primary schools from the Hong Kong Adolescent Bone Health Cohort Study. The study design used food frequency questionnaire. Mean daily intakes of foods and selected nutrients were estimated. Mean percentage of nutrient intake contributed by different food groups was presented. Frassetto's method was used to calculate the estimated NEAP from the diet's protein to potassium ratio. Results: There was no significant difference in the energy-adjusted intakes of most nutrients between boys and girls, except for intakes of vitamins C and D. Mean protein, sodium and potassium intakes were higher than the Chinese dietary reference intake (DRI), whereas mean intakes of magnesium, calcium and vitamin D were lower than the DRI. Boys had significantly higher estimated NEAP than girls (P = 0.0051). Estimated NEAP was significantly positively correlated with meat intake and negatively associated with the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, beverages and dairy products. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of considering whole diet quality when interpreting the effects of single nutrient or diet's net acid load on bone. The effect on high protein intake and low fruit and vegetable intake on the long-term bone health of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents warrants attention.