Children between eight and 19 are not getting enough calcium in their diet according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). As a matter of fact, the academy says they're not getting nearly enough calcium and the vitamin D needed to help it strengthen bones. There has been a recent increase in bone fractures in children from this age group.
Part of the reason is junk food - often eaten instead of foods and drinks higher in calcium such as milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and collard greens. Many foods are now fortified with calcium. These include orange juice, apple juice, and some breakfast cereals. Multiple vitamin supplements also include calcium.
In addition to low calcium intake, many young people are physically inactive. Weight bearing exercise (such as active playing) is needed for the calcium to actually strengthen bones. The authors of this report fear that the incidence of osteoporosis later in life will be greater for this group of children because of poor bone health now.
Where Is the Calcium?
About 99 percent of body calcium is found in the bones. Forty percent of adult bone mass is created during adolescence. Low calcium intake during this period can have serious health effects as these young people get older.
Adequate calcium intake plus time each day in the sun (to produce vitamin D) can help insure that the calcium will be used in bone building and strengthening. In the AAP report, researchers found that:
- Less than 60 percent of children in the 3 to 5 age group got adequate calcium in their diet.
- Less than 40 percent of children in the 6 to 11 age group got adequate calcium.
- Only 30 percent of boys and 10 percent of girls in the 12 to 19 age group got enough calcium!
What Kids Need-
Infants - the best source of calcium is human milk. Infants need about 210 mg of calcium each day.
- From 6 to 12 months - these babies need 270 mg of calcium each day. Most infants and babies get enough calcium.
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Children from 1 to 3 years - 500 mg of calcium a day is recommended.
- For the 4 to 8 age group - 800 mg of daily calcium a day is the recommendation.
- In the 9 to 18 age group - the recommended amount goes up to 1300 mg. This is more than the level recommended for adults in the 19 to 50 age group.
Where They Can Get It
The AAP recommends a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and foods fortified with calcium. Children get 65 percent of their calcium from dairy products. A multivitamin can add more calcium to the diet, and time in the sun and physical activity can help it all work.
Doctors are encouraged to ask questions during regular visits and physical exams to find out if children are getting enough calcium. This would start with the two and three year olds, be done again with the eight to nine group, be repeated during preadolescence, and again during adolescence. |
