By Celina Ann Z. Javier
FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service
Calcium makes bones and teeth dense and strong. It also plays a
role in blood clotting, muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Ninety-nine
percent of calcium in the body is found in the bones and teeth.
Calcium is not only important
to infants but also to adolescents and adults, as well. During adolescence the
need for calcium is high because 45o/o of their bone mass is formed during
puberty.
Sources of calcium include
green leafy vegetables, small fishes with bones that can be eaten, and milk and
milk products.
Milk is the most important
source because it contains highly absorbable calcium. It is usually consumed by
infants, toddlers and younger children, but it is not a popular drink among the
teenagers.
The 7th National
Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute
of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 revealed that
there is a low consumption of milk among the adolescents, only 15% of males and
29olo of females are drinking milk. This low milk consumption is accompanied by
a high intake of caffeine rich beverages such as coffee and softdrinks.
The 7th NNS listed
the top 30 most commonly consumed food items of adolescents aged 13 to 19 years
old, were coffee and softdrinks landed in the 6th and 7th
spots, respectively. Consumption of milk and milk products, however were not
even in the list.
Caffeine can lower calcium
absorption in the body and as a result, an adolescent can have lower calcium in
the body because of low calcium intake and high caffeine intake.
Based on the 7th
NNS, calcium is the least consumed nutrient by adolescents with only 0.33%
meeting the 80% of the dietary requirements for calcium.
It is important for
adolescents to continue drinking milk because at this stage, the body is
continually undergoing bone building until about the age of 30 years.
What are the consequences of
not getting enough calcium by this age?
As people age, bone loss
exceeds bone-building. Thus, older people are more at risk to osteoporosis, a
condition in which bones become brittle and more prone to fractures.
Milk should be a part of the
daily diet from childhood to old age to prevent weak bones and frequent
fractures later in life.
Milk drinking should also be
vigorously promoted among teenagers because it is during this time that they
learn to drink other beverages such as softdrinks and coffee, which often
replaces milk in their diet.
If milk drinking is not
practiced, it is equally important to consume calcium-rich foods as advocated
by the 2012 Nutrition Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF).
Let us follow message number
five of the NGF which states: "Consume milk, milk products and other
calcium-rich foods, such as small fish and shellfish, every day for healthy
bones and teeth."
For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr.
Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department
of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail:
MVC@fnri.dost.gov.ph,
Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
Comments
Post a Comment