Childhood is the most important time for bone development. Optimal bone health requires consumption of calcium, adequate vitamin D status and plenty of physical activity.
Osteoporosis is a silent disease of the skeleton, characterised by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration. The incidence of osteoporosis is best measured as the incidence of fractures due to osteoporosis. This increases exponentially with age in the Western population. As osteoporosis is usually ‘invisible’ until the sixth decade of life, it has been called a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D from a young age and throughout life is of utmost importance for building strong bones.
Did you know?
- Physical activity improves bone mineral density by enhancing peak bone mass and slowing down bone loss.
- Dietary calcium enhances the effect of physical activity on bone mass during growth.
- Low bone mass is associated with increased fracture risk – in both children and adults.
- Growing bone is better able to add new bone to the skeleton than adult bone.
- Weight-bearing activities such as weight training, walking, running, aerobic dancing, tennis, skipping, hockey, dancing, soccer and gymnastics improve bone health throughout life.
- The combination of calcium and consistent physical activity can prevent osteoporosis.
- The optimal diet for preventing osteoporosis requires adequate energy, calcium and vitamin D intake.
Facts and figures
- Osteoporosis is a serious public health issue and is responsible for almost 1.5 million bone fractures in the United States annually.
- A 50-year-old woman has a 50% chance for sustaining an osteoporotic fracture during the remainder of her life.
References
KEEN R. 2007. Osteoporosis: strategies for prevention and management. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 21(1)
www.niams.nih.gov/bone (Last accessed 5 Sept 2008)
HEANY RP, WEAVER CM. 2005. Newer perspectives on calcium nutrition and bone quality. J Am College Nutr 24(6): 574S-581S
KHAN K, MCKAY HA, HAAPASALO H, BENNELL KL, FOORWOOD MR, KANNUS P & WARK JD. 2000. Does childhood and adolescence provide a unique opportunity for exercise to strengthen the skeleton? J Science and Sports Med. 3(2): 150-164
http://www.idfdairynutrition.org/. Health Professionals: Fact sheets on 1) Calcium from milk and 2) Osteoporosis
IFIC REVIEW. 2002. Physical activity, nutrition and bone health
GREGG EW. 2000. Physical activity, falls and fractures among older adults: a review of the epidemiologic evidence. Am Geriatr. Soc(.48): 883-893
WOSJE KS, BINKLEY TL, FAHRENWALD NL, SPECKER BL. 2000. High bone mass in a female Hutterite population. J Bone Mine Res. 15 (8): 1429 -1436
WARDLAW GM & SMITH AM. 2006. Contemporary nutrition (5th edition). McGraw Hill.