Importance of Nutrition for Bone Health

Bone Health is a neglected area and has resulted in various problems both for adults and young children. The major causes for the poor bone health in India are genetic predisposition, lower bone mineral density due to deficiency of calcium and vitamin D, inadequate exposure of body surface area to direct sunshine even though the country has plenty of sunshine throughout the year, clothing pattern, relatively pigmented skin, poor diet, lack of availability of foods fortified with essential vitamins and minerals and lack of physical activity.

Childhood and adolescence is the time when bones are beginning to be modeled until around the age of 30 when peak bone mass is achieved. Diet in the modeling phase is extremely important. A critical element that helps absorb deposition of dietary calcium into bone mass is vitamin D. Deficiency of vitamin D is one of major contributory factor responsible for lower bone mineral density (BMD).

A related bone problem is flurosis. It is prevalent in 17 States and has affected 66 million people including about 6 million children below the age of 14. It results from consuming ground water with excessive fluoride leading to bone disorders. Inadequate exposure of body surface area to direct sunshine, clothing pattem, relatively pigmented skin, environmental pollution, faulty housing architecture which does not allow enough sunshine, poor diet and lack of required food fortification, are among the major factors responsible for compromised bone health.

It is important to pay attention to bone health right for childhood. It is in this regard, schools may be advised to take steps regarding the following aspects:

1. Schools should promote outdoor physical activity after 9.00 a.m. and before 4.00 p.m. for adequate exposure to sunshine. Sunshine is the most important source of vitamin D.

Vitamin D helps absorption of calcium. The main source of vitamin D is the exposure to sunlight. Exposure of legs and arms to sunlight for about 25 minutes between 9 AM and 4 PM is adequate.

Physical activity at all ages, particularly weight bearing activity, is important for bone health. It also reduces the risk of falling by strengthening muscles and maintaining balance.

Calcium is critical for sound bone health. Foods containing calcium like milk, leafy green vegetables, etc. should be a part of the normal daily diet.

2. During the educational programs, schools should emphasis the importance of calcium and viranin D and thus the schools play a crucial role in creating awareness on such vital issues by sharing this message with the entire student community as well as the parents.