Once the diagnosis of osteoporosis is made, doctors can recommend individualized treatment. Achieving peak bone mass during childhood is one way to decrease the long-term risks of fractures due to osteoporosis. Currently, only 25 percent of boys and 10 percent of girls aged nine to seventeen are taking the minimum daily recommended calcium dosage of 1,300 mg. Some factors contributing to low calcium levels include restriction of dairy products, low level of fruit and vegetable consumption, and high intake of such low-calcium beverages as sodas. While most children get enough calcium from drinking vitamin D milk and taking supplements, parents of adolescents need to be mindful of their teens' calcium needs.
Physical activity is also important for children to develop peak bone mass.
The maintenance of good bone health is heavily dependent upon habits developed during childhood. They have to picture themselves sitting in a nursing home the last third of their lives if they don't. You have to make an opportunity to take this test. Those who are thriving after a diagnosis of low bone mass or osteoporosis are living examples that it is a problem that is manageable with proper testing, diagnosis, diet, and exercise. Copyright 2001 by Hispanic Magazine.