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    Chocolate bar bone comparison 'not justified'

    Posted on 21/12/2007

    The use of chocolate bars to explain bone structure to patients is 'not justified', a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has concluded.

    The research focuses on the use of the Cadbury Crunchie bar by orthopaedic surgeons to illustrate the structure of a healthy bone. By comparison, Nestle's Aero is typically used to show the coarser structure of osteoporotic bone.

    However, researchers at Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth say that although the comparison is readily understood, tests reveal that Crunchie bars are in fact more prone to fracture.

    They conclude: 'Using Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explain bone structure and fracture risk to patients may be visually attractive but oversimplifies the situation.'

    Although the study is distinctly tongue-in-cheek, it does help to increase awareness of osteoporosis, a disease of the bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture. The National Osteoporosis Society says that in the UK, one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone 'mainly because of osteoporosis'.

    The Welsh team's research is one of three light-hearted studies published today by the BMJ, another of which examines evidence within the Harry Potter books for a genetic basis to magical powers.

    'Magic shows strong evidence of heritability, with familial aggregation and concordance in twins,' the study's authors conclude.

    'Specific magical skills, notably being able to speak to snakes, predict the future, and change hair colour, all seem heritable.'



    Category: Healthcare


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