Answers for Me Support & encouragement for every-day life
As children grow, the body demands calcium to support bone development. Infants need calcium so that bones can increase to support their ever-growing weight and size. Calcium from breast milk and/or formula meets the infant’s needs. However, when they become toddlers and children, they need a steady supply.
Between the ages of 10 – 15 years of age, the weight of bones double1 but this is the time growing children and teenagers abandon calcium sources. This compromises bone density, so they are more vulnerable to breakage. For example, children and teenage boys who don’t get enough calcium have more forearm breakages than those who do get enough calcium.2
When teenagers and children have low calcium intake, they increase their risk for osteoporosis or brittle bones as they get older. Here’s why. During teen years and up to age 25, bones increase in density. After this, the body maintains density. When we reach 40 years old, we start to lose calcium. If we do not have significant stores, our bones can become brittle in the later years of life. What we do now for our children’s growing bones can affect them in later years.
Where do we get calcium? One of the most abundant sources of calcium is milk and dairy products. What are the best sources? Keeping a steady supply of milk, cheese, and yogurt in the daily diet will help keep bones strong. If milk sources cannot be digested due to allergies, for example, there are other sources of calcium. Soy, almond, and rice beverages can be a source of calcium. Don’t forget to read the label to make sure calcium has been added. Broccoli, beans, bok choy, spinach, almonds, tortillas, and tofu with calcium sulfate are other sources that contain calcium. Getting these foods in the diet will help provide calcium for bones.
Don’t forget that growing bones need more than calcium. Other nutrients to support growth include vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, boron, fluoride, iron, and many others. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, will help meet the demands for these nutrients.
How much calcium do growing bones need?
Calcium Requirements*
Birth to 6 months – 210 mg
6-12 months – 270 mg
1-3 years old – 500 mg
4-8 years old – 800 mg
9-18 years old – 1,300 mg
If you liked this, you might also like Taking Supplements
Pamela Williams writes from Southern California.
*Source: Eunice Kenndy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website.
1. How much Calcium in our bones? www.idph.state.ia. Accessed, December 29, 2010.
2. Ryan LM. Forearm fractures in children and bone health. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity: December 2010 - Volume 17 - Issue 6 - p 530–534.
