Risk Taking and Fracture Study
Condition: Fracture
MeSH terms: Fractures, Bone
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Boys suffer a disproportionately large number of fractures compared to girls (55-60%). This
      study aims to determine why this is the case by identifying risk factors for wrist fractures.
      The increase in fracture during childhood and adolescence may be associated with 1)
      risk-taking behaviour in boys, 2) obesity trends in boys during childhood and adolescence,
      and/or 3) impaired acquisition of bone strength during childhood and adolescence. Importantly
      from a knowledge translation perspective, modifiable factors such as behaviour, dietary
      habits or physical activity in boys may predict fracture.

      The investigators will measure 400 children (100 girls and 100 boys who have sustained a
      fracture; 100 same age and sex friends) across 4 years of growth. This study will assess risk
      behaviours, diet, physical activity, motor proficiency (i.e., balance and coordination), fat
      and muscle mass and bone strength to determine if there are, 1) differences in whether all or
      some of these factors predict fractures in boys compared with girls and, 2) whether these
      factors track forward similarly in boys compared with girls as children advance through the
      growth spurt.
    

Detailed description: 
      The investigators aim to better characterize factors that contribute to fracture in boys and
      girls and to assess whether such factors track across a four year period. The innovation is
      to use novel methods and an integrated approach, to measure the influence of risk-taking
      behaviour, body composition, bone microstructure, motor proficiency, diet and physical
      activity in one model across growth. This will provide a more comprehensive picture of the
      key multi-factorial predictors of fracture within- and between-sexes. This essential
      information will provide the basis for change in public health policy, clinical practice,
      community programs, and targeted interventions.
    

Intervention name(s): Fracture - Boys; Fracture - Girls; Non Fracture - Boys; Non Fracture - Girls
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Annual measurements of risk taking behaviour, body composition, bone microstructure, balance, diet, and physical activity over 4 years; Annual measurements of risk taking behaviour, body composition, bone microstructure, balance, diet, and physical activity over 4 years; Annual measurements of risk taking behaviour, body composition, bone microstructure, balance, diet, and physical activity over 4 years; Annual measurements of risk taking behaviour, body composition, bone microstructure, balance, diet, and physical activity over 4 years
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Fracture patients will be recruited from the orthopaedic clinic at BC Children's Hospital.

        Non-fracture subjects will be recruited from the community
      
Keywords: Wrist Fracture; Adolescents; Risk Taking Behaviour; Bone Microstructure