Calcium vital in diets of young girls

Girls need their parents’ support in more ways than one. Helping your daughter solve algebra problems or find the perfect accessory is only the tip of the iceberg. Parents can help their daughters build strong bones as well and it can be easy to do.

For girls, building strong bones early is critical for reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Fortunately, physical activity and calcium have a significant impact on bone health-and healthy eating options can easily be integrated into hectic family schedules.

Try grabbing a frozen yogurt at the mall or taking a walk around the block after dinner. Making weight-bearing physical activity a weekend event can also contribute to building strong bones, and be fun for the whole family.

A variety of bone-healthy foods can help girls age 9 to 12 work toward the 1,300 milligrams of calcium that they need each day. Pack a cheese sandwich (371 mg of calcium) or a cup of yogurt (450 mg of calcium) in her lunch. At home, a fresh fruit smoothie made with low-fat milk or yogurt is an especially nice treat.

There are also many fun, weight-bearing physical activities that can help girls build strong bones. Try signing your daughter up for a soccer league or to play in baseball games. Encourage your daughter to become involved in activities she finds fun and challenging. Parents can also find an activity that they can participate in with their daughters, since girls look to parents for support and involvement in the things they enjoy.

Wondering if your daughter’s swim team practice helps her build strong bones? What if she is lactose intolerant or a finicky eater? Answers to these questions, as well as recipes and more ideas for helping your daughter build strong bones, can be found on the web at www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones/parents. The website is part of "Powerful Bones. Powerful Girls," the National Bone Health Campaign, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.