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Kids advised to get enough calcium, exercise for stronger bones
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http://www.100md.com 2006-2-6
xinhuanet |
Delicious recipe for stronger bones (file photo)
BEIJING, Feb.6 (Xinhuanet) -- To help prevent broken bones later in life,the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that doctors should encourage children to get enough calcium and exercise for strosnger bones.
National data show that most American children over age 8 don't get enough calcium, a deficiency that increases their risks for developing osteoporosis in adulthood, the academy said in a report released Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
The bone-thinning disease is associated with aging and afflicts 10 million Americans, mostly older women. National data show it is responsible for more than 1.5 million bone fractures each year.
Calcium is needed for bone formation, and weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones. For children, any repetitive activity in which the arms or legs bear the body's weight would be good for them.
U.S. youngsters are deficient in both for several reasons, Greer said: They drink sodas instead of milk or calcium-fortified juice; they're spending more time on TV, computers and video games, instead of exercising; and many schools have phased out organized physical activities.
Milk and other dairy products are the most common calcium sources in traditional Western diets, but there's no evidence that they are superior to other sources, such as broccoli, Swiss chard and collard greens, the report said. Still, children tend to avoid those, too, Greer said.
Many U.S. youngsters are vitamin D deficient too because they don't drink vitamin D-fortified milk and lack adequate exposure - without sunscreen - to sunlight, which is needed for the body to produce the vitamin. Doctors say only 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure weekly is needed for adequate vitamin D production.(Agencies)
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