[Bone density in 20 black African young adults of the Bantu race is identical to that in subjects of white race]. / La densité osseuse à l'âge adulte jeune de 20 sujets noirs Africains d'éthnie bantoue est identique à celle de sujets de race blanche.

ABSTRACT

Bone mineral content (BMC in g) as well as bone mineral density (BMD in g/cm2) were measured by dual photon absorptiometry in 20 black africans and 20 white individuals of the same age and sex. The BMC of african males, as well as their body mass index (BMI), were significantly less than those of the whites. In contrast, neither BMD nor the ratio of BMC to BMI differed between the two groups. These results suggest that morphotype plays a greater role than the ethnic factor in the determination of bone mass in the young adult.