Osteoporosis:Reducing The Risk in Children
Lowering our risk of developing osteoporosis should be started at an early age. Reports have shown that 9 out of 10 teenage girls and 7 out of 10 teenage boys do not get the recommended amount of daily calcium. Throughout life these amounts varies.
- Ages 4 – 8 800 mg. daily
- Ages 8 – 18 1300 mg. daily
- Ages 19 – 50 1000 mg. daily
- 51 and over 1200 mg. daily
Even though age groups higher dosages at times may be recommended, never should you take or give more than 2500 mg. in a day. Keep in mind that the body can only absorb about 500 mg of calcium at a time. Therefore, taking a single large dose at once is defeating the purpose.
Supplying your child with the recommended amount of calcium is not as hard as it may appear. Along with eating a balance meal, give one cup of milk with each meal and a cup before going to bed. Give children choices of foods high in calcium, to do that choose foods daily such as, broccoli, calcium fortified cereals, low-fat chocolate milk, calcium-fortified juices, and cheese pizza. When children are introduced to this type of eating habit early in life they are likely to maintain it throughout their lives.
The Formation of Bones
Bone formation starts in childhood, it increased during the adolescent years and continues on this course until about the age of 25. After this point, your daily calcium intake is strictly to maintain bone health.
Osteoporosis in children is a serious problem. Children that are affected by this disease can break their bones from simply falling down from a distance of their own height. They may be limited in movement because of the pain and fatigue associated with the disease.
Exercise and Osteoporosis
Start your young ones out early with weight-bearing and physical exercise. Include activities that the family can do together such as playing soccer, basketball and tennis or hiking. Be careful not to overdo it, too much of anything is not good either. Stay healthy and happy and protect you and your family from bone loss, start early and make it a life-long habit for you and the ones you love the most.
