[PHNUTR-L] Effects of calcium supplementation on bone density in healthy children

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

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Public release date: 14-Sep-2006
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-09/bmj-csf091406.php

Contact: Emma Dickinson
EDickinson at bmj.com
44-020-738-36529
BMJ-British Medical Journal

Calcium supplements fail to prevent bone fractures in children

Effects of calcium supplementation on bone density in healthy children: 
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Calcium supplements have very little benefit for preventing fractures in 
childhood and later adulthood, concludes a study in the BMJ.

Children taking such supplements are have only small improvements in 
bone density, which are unlikely to reduce fracture risk, says the study 
carried out by researchers at the Menzies Research Institute in 
Australia and other approaches could be more beneficial such as 
increasing vitamin D concentrations and eating more fruit and vegetables.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem, particularly in women, 
and low bone mineral density is an important risk factor for 
osteoporotic fractures. Bone density worsens for women after the 
menopause, so intervention in childhood to maximise peak bone mass by 
improving factors such as diet and physical activity can minimise the 
impact of bone loss related to age.

The researchers analysed the findings of 19 different studies involving 
2,859 children collectively aged between three and 18. They included 
randomised trials of calcium supplementation in healthy children that 
lasted at least three months and which measured bone outcomes after at 
least six months of follow-up.

They found there was a small effect on total body bone mineral content 
and upper limb bone mineral density – children taking the supplements 
only had 1.7% better bone density in their upper limbs than children not 
taking the supplements.

However, there was no effect at important sites in the body for fracture 
in later life – namely the hip and lumbar spine. After children stopped 
taking calcium supplements, the effect persisted at the upper limb, but 
disappeared for total body bone mineral content.

The authors conclude: "The small effect of calcium supplementation on 
bone mineral density in the upper limb is unlikely to reduce the risk of 
fracture, either in childhood or later life, to a degree of major public 
health importance. It may be appropriate to explore alternative 
nutritional interventions, such as increasing vitamin D concentrations 
and intake of fruit and vegetables."
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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