Calcium - children

Calcium is an important part of the daily diet, especially for children. It is essential for the growth of strong bones and teeth. Dietitians and dentists recommend that children should meet their calcium needs by eating dairy foods and having a well balanced diet.

Severe calcium deficiency can result in diseases like rickets in children and osteoporosis later in life.

Bones need calcium
Calcium is the most common mineral in the body. Around 99 per cent of the calcium in the body is found in the bones or skeleton; the rest is in teeth, soft tissues and blood. The skeleton is a living tissue and acts as a calcium reservoir, which needs to be topped up daily. A high intake of dietary calcium is essential for growth of strong bones and teeth.

Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D work together in the body to achieve the right calcium levels that your body needs. Dietitians and dentists recommend that children should get calcium from eating dairy foods and having a well balanced diet.

A low calcium diet in childhood may be linked with osteoporosis later in life. Osteoporosis can lead to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures.

Milk promotes calcium absorption
Dairy foods are the richest source of calcium in the Australian diet. Calcium absorption is helped by the milk sugar (lactose), which seems to assist in uptake of calcium by the body. Vitamin D and phosphorus also help the body absorb calcium.

Don’t offer too much milk...