Describe the importance of calcium intake during adolescence. Do most adolescents meet their calcium needs?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Adolescence is a crucial time for bone development, and the requirement for calcium reaches its peak during these years. Unfortunately, many adolescents, especially females, have calcium intakes below recommendations. Low calcium intakes during times of active growth, especially if paired with physical inactivity, can compromise the development of peak bone mass, which is considered the best protection against adolescent fractures and adult osteoporosis. Increasing milk and milk products in the diet to meet calcium recommendations greatly increases bone density. Once again, however, teenage girls are most vulnerable because their milk—and therefore their calcium—intakes begin to decline at the time when their calcium needs are greatest. Furthermore, women have much greater bone losses than men in later life. In addition to dietary calcium, physical activity causes bones to grow stronger. Because some high schools do not require students to participate in physical education classes, however, many adolescents are not as physically active as healthy bones demand.