Association Between Self‐Reported Lactose Intolerance, Additional Environmental Factors, and Bone Mineral Density in Young Adults

ABSTRACT Objectives This study examines the relationship between self‐reported lactose intolerance (LI), environmental factors, and their effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults from Slovakia. Methods We assessed 985 adults aged 18–30 years, with an average age of 21.61 ± 2.32 years, who were enrolled in this pilot cross‐sectional study during the period 2019–2023. Individual environmental factors (smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, milk and milk product intake, and calcium intake) and self‐reported LI were assessed using a detailed questionnaire. BMD was analyzed using the QUS device (Sunlight MiniOmni), and total weight was measured with the InBody 770 bioimpedance analyzer. Results Linear regression analysis showed the independent influence of age, total weight, and the presence of LI on the speed of sound in meters per second (SOS; m/s) and Z ‐score parameters in women ( p < 0.05), whereas in men, age and smoking status were significant predictors of SOS ( p < 0.05), and age and LI status significantly influenced the Z ‐score ( p < 0.05). Conclusions In the present study of young Slovak adults, the presence of self‐reported LI and smoking had a negative effect on BMD, resulting in lower BMD in the radius.