By having children increase their consumption of calcium now, the program aims to keep their bones strong and healthy past the middle of the 21st century. Through a combination of health education, sophisticated measuring devices and structured rewards for the participating children, the goal is to improve eating habits, one meal at a time. Children who regularly drink milk and eat other foods high in calcium may lower their risks in later life of suffering osteoporosis, the reduction in bone mass and bone density that leaves many older people vulnerable to disabling falls and broken bones. Osteoporosis currently exacts high human costs, in loss of independence and higher mortality rates after elderly people suffer fractures. But future costs could be reduced dramatically with dietary changes during the pre-adolescent years.
Adults can receive some benefits from taking calcium supplements, but the improvements are limited.
A total of 150 healthy children will be recruited. Half of them might be at risk for low bone density due to a previous fracture, a family history of osteoporosis or refusal to consume dairy products. Evenly divided between boys and girls, the children will be 7 to 10 years old. Half of the children will attend five educational sessions. With parents in one group, children in the other, program staff will explain the importance of increasing calcium consumption, provide cooking demonstrations and devise individualized plans to incorporate calcium-rich foods.