Are you doing what it takes to help your child develop strong bones for life?
Life-shattering bone diseases such as osteoporosis can be avoided when parents take preventive measures right from the start of their child’s life.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and breaks easily from a minor fall, or in serious cases, from a simple action like a sneeze. While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person’s disease, it can strike at any age. This condition is particularly worrying in women, who are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.
While millions suffer from this disease, it is known that osteoporosis is preventable, especially if the right measures are taken from as young as infancy. Ensure that your child gets the recommended amounts of calcium, vitamin D and exercise today. After all, prevention is better than cure!
Why is Calcium important?
The human body does not produce calcium on its own, while each day our bodies lose calcium through our skin, nails, hair, sweat, urine and feces. So when we do not consume enough calcium for our body’s needs, calcium is taken from our bones as it is used for our other bodily functions such as enabling the nervous system to send messages and allowing muscles to contract. Children aged 1 to 3 should consume at least 500mg of calcium daily, while 4 to 8-year-olds need at least 800mg.
Snow Brand SUPER KID-plus provides the amount of calcium needed for your child’s daily intake. Apart from calcium obtained from milk, introduce other calcium-rich food to your child’s diet in stages, such as cheese and yoghurt.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Severe deficiency in vitamin D can cause rickets in children—a rare bone softening disease that causes bowing of the legs, poor growth, and at times muscle pain. Our skin produces vitamin D from the ultra-violet light (UVB rays) in sunlight, however it is difficult to gauge how much—if enough—is produced. The recommended daily amount required for children aged 3 to 7 is 400 I.U.
Exercise—Use It or Lose It!
Bones are living tissues that become stronger and denser when we make them work. It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. It does not have to be done all at once–short 10 to 15 minute spurts of activity works well too. Limit TV, video games and computer time and set a good example by being active yourself!
Tips for Stronger Bones!
To develop stronger bones, make time for weight-bearing exercises like these:
• Walking, climbing stairs, bicycling or dancing
• Play fun games in the outdoors like catch or even Simon Says!
Ensure Calcium and vitamin D are part of your child’s daily diet. Include foods like:
• Milk
• Yogurt
• Spinach
• Salmon
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
