Updated Report on Children’s Calcium Intake
Nemours Enterprise
Thursday, March 30, 2006 @ 12:00 AM EST
In order to help children build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in a recent report, calls on parents to make sure their children are getting the calcium and the physical activity they need, especially during the teen years, when bone growth peaks. The report also encourages pediatricians to regularly assess their patients’ calcium intake.
“This is a positive statement by the AAP,” said Charles P. McKay, MD, Director, Bone and Mineral Clinic, Division of Nephrology, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Children are not achieving their recommended calcium levels set forth in the original guidelines released almost 10 years ago, explained Dr. McKay. “The AAP report emphasizes this fact and thus provides advice for pediatricians on practical ways to help their patients achieve their recommended calcium intake goals,” he said.
The report - “Optimizing Bone Health and Calcium of Infants, Children and Adolescents” - found that most children, age eight and older, aren’t getting enough calcium. Published in the February edition of Pediatrics, the report also includes guidelines on calcium-rich foods, recommendations on calcium intake, and tools for physicians to assess a child’s calcium intake.
“There are three barriers children face when it comes to getting the calcium they need,” said Dr. McKay. They are:
- Family habits – if the family including parents do not consume enough calcium, neither will the child.
- Substitution – kids today are substituting drinks such as soda for milk.
- Misconception – there is a misconception that all dairy is fattening.
“Low-fat or fat-free milk is not fattening, and a good source of calcium,” said McKay.
Calcium is essential for peak bone mass development in children and adolescents. Teens, especially girls, are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures, when their diets are calcium-deficient.
“The most important time is during the pre-adolescent age,” said McKay. Starting at age nine, and all the way through 18, children/teens should be consuming a calcium-rich diet, he said.
Physicians are also being asked to do their part in ensuring that children are building strong bones; the AAP is advising clinicians to periodically assess their patients’ calcium intake simply by asking questions of the parents and patients alike starting at age two.
The current daily calcium recommendations from the AAP are:
- toddlers ages 1-3 years: 500 milligrams
- kids ages 4-8 years: 800 milligrams
- older children ages 9-18 years: 1,300 milligrams
Calcium-rich foods include:
- 1 cup low-fat milk: 246 milligrams of calcium
- 1.1 ounce slice of cheese: 202 milligrams of calcium
- 1/2 cup of tofu: 204 milligrams of calcium
- 1 cup collard greens, chopped: 266 milligrams of calcium
- 1 cup calcium-fortified orange juice: 300 milligrams
The report notes that, “calcium intakes on food labels are based on adult requirements, not children’s, and, therefore, it is important for pediatricians to help parents read and interpret the calcium content on food labels so they can better determine how much calcium their child may be consuming.”
“Food labels can be very confusing for parents,” explained Dr. McKay, “ the ‘percent of daily value’ on the labels are based upon the adult calcium Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of one thousand milligrams per day.” For instance, “25 percent of the RDA is equal to 250 milligrams,” he said.
The AAP also encourages physical activity, primarily weight-bearing exercise, as part of an overall bone-health program.
“There are no ‘official recommended’ exercises for children,” said Dr. McKay, “but, any activity in which a child is jumping or starting and stopping, such as in tennis or soccer, is likely to be good for the bones.”
modified: Friday, January 04, 2008 @ 04:04 PM EST
created: Friday, January 04, 2008 @ 04:04 PM EST
About Nemours
Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.
Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.
Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.
