|
|
|
 |
|
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.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Nutrition & Product Information
Calcium Summit Summary 1999
Developing a public health strategy to ensure America's optimal calcium intake.
Calcium Intake in the United States
Anne C. Looker, Ph.D., R.D.
Senior Research Epidemiologist
National Center for Health Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Americans from school-age on up are not consuming enough dietary calcium, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, 1988-1994. For large segments of the population, a considerable gap exists between current recommendations for dietary calcium and calcium consumption (1,2). In fact, after early childhood, no age group has a median calcium intake that approaches recommended dietary calcium intakes or Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Males consume more calcium than females regardless of age. Males' calcium intake peaks during adolescence at about 1200mg and declines to about 750mg in later years (1). In contrast, females' calcium intake peaks a little over 800mg during childhood (6-11 years) and declines to about 650mg in the oldest females. Differences in calcium intake also vary according to race and ethnicity (3). Mexican-American males, and in particular non-Hispanic black males, consume about 100 to 200mg less calcium than non-Hispanic white males. A similar pattern is found for females with calcium intakes lowest for non-Hispanic black women. Compared to earlier surveys, adults' calcium intakes may be slightly higher, but this may be explained by methodological differences between surveys.
*1997 Dietary Reference Intakes,
Food and Nutrition Board,
Institute of Medicine,
National Academy of Sciences.
Consumer Attitudes and Behavior:Overcoming Challenges to Increase Calcium Intake
Susan Borra, R.D.
Senior Vice President, Director of Nutrition
International Food Information Council
Indifference regarding their diet, including calcium, and decreased milk intake due to competition from other beverages are contributing to Americans' low calcium intake. Data from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI)'s 1999 Trends survey indicate that few consumers mention calcium when asked about what they are doing to improve their diets (4). Confusion, frustration, the belief that they have to give up their favorite foods, and lack of time to select a healthful diet are contributing to Americans' apathy regarding their diet (4,5). Mixed messages from the media portraying dairy foods as high in fat (negative) but rich in calcium, protein and other nutrients (positive) lead to consumer confusion.
America's dietary calcium crisis is caused in large part by a three-decade decline in milk consumption. Milk and other dairy foods are the major dietary source of calcium as well as an important source of other essential nutrients.
Battle of the Beverages: What Our Children Are Drinking and Why
Susan Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Colorado
Competition from other beverages is having a profound negative impact on Americans' milk (and therefore calcium) intake starting in childhood. Children, and particularly adolescents, have increased their intake of soft drinks, fruit drinks and fruit-flavored drinks at the expense of milk (6). Findings from national food intake surveys reveal that milk intake drops off rapidly during the teen years from ages 12 to 19, particularly for girls (7). A recent study found that adolescents who consumed 26 ounces of soft drinks or more per day were about four times more likely to consume less than one cup (8 ounces) of milk per day than teens who did not consume soft drinks (6). Unlike milk, which is a rich source of calcium and provides other essential nutrients, soft drinks provide calories but few other nutrients. Fruit drinks provide calories and vitamin C, but little if any calcium unless fortified. Why are children consuming more soda and fruit drinks? The more a young child is exposed to a particular food and the greater the experience with that food, the more likely that food will be consumed. If parents want children to consume more calcium-rich foods, they need to give children repeated opportunities to learn to like these foods. Also, having soft drinks and fruit drinks in the home, yet restricting their intake, may actually increase children's preference for these foods. It is important for parents to be role models. Recent studies indicate that mothers have a strong influence on the types, amounts and frequency of intake of dairy foods consumed by their young daughters (8-10). Adequate calcium intake by young girls is associated with mothers' higher intake of calcium, milk and total dairy foods.
|