Establishing good bone health☆

Abstract 

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for bone mass acquisition. Environmental factors have an important role in deciding whether the genetically determined optimal peak bone mass will be achieved. Such factors include vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy, calcium and milk intake, physical exercise and maintenance of healthy body weight. Computer- and TV-related non-physical activities and monotonous diet have become more common features of life among children and adolescents. These life-style factors might have deleterious effects on bone mass attainment. Public health policies integrating recommendations for a healthy life-style, such as varied and adequate diet and regular physical activity should be implemented for optimizing conditions for the establishment of good bone health during childhood and adolescence.

Keywords: adolescents, bone, children, development, health

No full text is available. To read the body of this article, please view the PDF online.