Spring 2003 - Volume 3
The Key Role of Calcium for Promoting Strong Bones and a Healthy Weight in Children
There are two major public health issues facing children: Their calcium intake falls far below the recommended amounts placing them, especially girls, at risk for osteoporosis; and (2) the percent of overweight children has tripled in the past 30 years.
• Calcium crisis in the USA
• There is an epidemic of childhood obesity
• Bones: They are what we eat.
• The Critical Window of Opportunity
There is a calcium crisis in the USA1.
- The median calcium intake2 of teenage girls is 713 mgs per day, which is 55% of the 1300 mgs they need for normal growth and development3.
- Recent research on 732 teen girls found that at age 12 years, the 78 % who drank milk had lower soda intake. At age 19, they consumed more soda and only 36% drank milk4.
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There is an epidemic of childhood obesity5.
Recent research suggests that the solution may be the same for both of these public health issues.
- The percent of overweight children has tripled in the past 30 years5.
- Nearly 50% of young people aged 12 to 216 years in the United States are not vigorously active on a regular basis.
- About 14% of young people report no recent physical activity6.
- 43% of students in grades 9 to12 watch TV more than 2 hours per day6.
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90% of the human skeleton is completed by age 18, and 98% by age of 207, 8
As children reach adulthood, the calcium crisis will become even more serious because low calcium during these growing years can place them at risk for osteoporosis8.
The good news is that this public health problem is preventable and correctable if addressed in time.[top]
Below 1997 Recommended Levels3
Adapted with permission from Robert P. Heaney, M.D., John A. Creighton University Professor, Creighton University, 601 North 30th Street - Suite 4841, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, Phone: (402) 280-4029 Fax: (402) 280-4751, Email: rheaney@creighton.edu.The “critical window of opportunity”
The new recommended intake for girls, age 9 to 12 years, is 1300 mgs of dietary calcium-which is the amount in 4 cups of milk3.
This is based in part on the research by Dr. Connie Weaver, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University8, 9.
Dr. Weaver emphasizes that for girls, preteen and early adolescence is the “critical window of opportunity, ” because this is the timeframe when:
* Almost 50% of bones are being formed, and
* Calcium intake MUST meet need.[top]
References: Click here.
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