|
|
 |
|
Sign
up for the NDC Update for the latest dairy nutrition news, fast facts,
free tools for patients, expert nutrition advice and information on updated
dairy nutrition resources.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Educate your patients on the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy: Here's
a great
tool (PDF: 618k) to show families how to get their 3-A-Day of Dairy
every day for stronger bones.
Developed in conjunction with The American Academy of Family
Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Dietetic
Association, and The National Medical Association.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Dairy Council Digest Archives
BUILDING STRONG BONES: STARTING IN THE EARLY YEARS
Volume 77, Number 5 September/October 2006
Strategies To Optimize Bone Health During Growth
 The importance of calcium and calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt for children’s and adolescents’ bone health is recognized by health professional and government organizations (1,7,8,65,66). The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (7) states that consuming milk products is associated with “overall diet quality and adequacy of intake of many nutrients” and “is especially important for children and adolescents who are building their peak bone mass and developing lifelong habits.” In a position statement on dietary guidance for healthy children, the American Dietetic Association (65) recognizes that children’s “failure to meet calcium requirements in combination with a sedentary lifestyle in childhood can impede the achievement of maximal skeletal growth and bone mineralization, thereby increasing the diet-related risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.” In its report on optimizing children’s bone health, the AAP (8) states that “drinking three 8-oz glasses of milk per day (or the equivalent…) will achieve the recommended adequate intake of calcium in children 4 to 8 years of age, and four 8-to-10-oz of milk (or the equivalent) will provide the adequate calcium intake for adolescents.” The report identifies yogurt and cheese as good sources of calcium and adds that “flavored milks, cheeses, and yogurts containing reduced fat or no fat and modest amounts of sweeteners (both caloric and non-caloric) are generally recommended” (8). The National Medical Association consensus panel recommends 3 daily servings of low-fat milk, cheese, and/or yogurt a day for children and 4 servings a day for adolescents (66).
Childhood and adolescence is a critical period for establishing healthful dietary practices and lifestyle behaviors that, if maintained, can support skeletal health throughout life.
Milk and other dairy foods are identified as the preferred dietary source of calcium (1,3,7,8). Not only are milk and other dairy products calcium-dense foods providing about 300 mg calcium/serving, but these foods also contain other nutrients important for bone health such as vitamin D (if fortified), phosphorus, protein, potassium, magnesium, and zinc (1,2). In fact, milk contains three nutrients (i.e., calcium, potassium, and magnesium) which the 2005 Dietary Guidelines (7) identifies as being low in the diets of children. Nondairy calcium-containing foods (e.g., some green leafy vegetables, beans) and calcium-fortified foods are other sources, although the bioavailability of calcium in some of these foods (e.g., spinach) is low (8,67). Calcium supplements are another source, but the AAP (8) cautions that “these products do not offer the benefit of other associated nutrients, and compliance may be a problem.” For individuals who rely on calcium-fortified foods or nondairy foods low in vitamin D, another source of vitamin D is needed to provide an adequate intake of 200 IU of vitamin D/day (8).
In addition to consuming a nutritionally balanced diet including low-fat dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, children and adolescents should be physically active and participate in weight-bearing activities to optimize their bone health (1,8). Also, parents should be role models of healthy behaviors by serving milk at mealtimes and choosing milk as a beverage when eating out (8). The AAP recommends that physicians periodically assess children’s and adolescents’ calcium intake beginning at 2 to 3 years of age and have discussions with parents and families regarding their dietary habits to ensure that they are meeting daily calcium requirements (8). Information regarding the calcium content of various foods should be given to patients and their families at risk of low calcium intakes. A registered dietitian may be consulted for a more thorough dietary assessment and to offer recommendations to increase calcium intake (8). Resources such as the Calcium Assessment Questionnaire, a new tool developed by the AAP and National Dairy Council (www.nationaldairycouncil.org), can help families determine if they are getting the calcium they need from their diets.
Table of Contents:
|