Parents: Are you feeding your child’s bones?
4 August 2009
Australian parents are being urged to monitor their children’s intake of calcium-rich foods, with the latest research highlighting an alarming under-consumption of this essential bone-building nutrient.
The findings from the latest Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey - a landmark report into the eating and exercise habits of the nation’s children - reveal that Australian children were least likely to meet the daily requirements for calcium.
The survey revealed that a high percentage of children aged 9 to 16 years, particularly girls, were not meeting their daily calcium requirements. In fact, between 82 and 89 per cent of 12 to 16-year-old girls did not meet the estimated average requirement for calcium.
Are You Feeding Your Bones? is the theme of this year’s National Healthy Bones Week (August 2 to 8), a joint initiative by Dairy Australia and Osteoporosis Australia. The awareness week encourages people of all ages, including children, to consume the recommended dietary intake of calcium for strong bones.
The week also highlights the importance of calcium-rich foods, such as dairy, in the development of healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis later in life. This is particularly crucial for school-aged children throughout their peak bone-building years.
Moree Community Health Dietitian Fran Corcoles said calcium and exercise were important for growing bones and parents needed to be aware of their children’s bone health.
“Calcium-rich foods, such as dairy, are needed in the daily diet to help build peak bone mass among children,” Ms Corcoles said.
“Consuming adequate calcium is essential in the development and maintenance of strong healthy bones. Enough calcium in the diet is important at all stages of life to maintain healthy bones.
“The greatest rate of bone growth occurs at puberty, so it is crucial that children consume enough calcium to develop strong bones that will carry them through life.”
Eating three serves of reduced-fat dairy per day can provide 100 per cent of a person’s daily target for calcium. Dairy also includes important bone nourishing nutrients including magnesium, protein, phosphorous, potassium and zinc.
“Including a glass of milk, piece of cheese and a tub of yoghurt in our daily intake can ensure we are looking after our bones,” Ms Corcoles said.
“Eating foods which contain Vitamin D and calcium helps to keep them strong. Not getting enough calcium is one of the causes of osteoporosis, where the bones become fragile and break more easily.”
Are you and your children consuming enough calcium? Take the challenge with the National Healthy Bones Week “cowculator”. Visit: http://www.healthybones.com.au
To make an appointment to see Moree Community Dietitian Fran Corcoles, contact Moree Community Health Centre on (02) 6757 0200. GP referrals are preferred but not essential.
(HNE-1941)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183