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Sacramento, CA - October 15, 2004 - The Surgeon General released a Report on Osteoporosis and Bone Health yesterday stating that most Americans do not consume the recommended daily level of calcium, but that reaching this level is feasible by consuming three servings of low-fat milk and dairy products each day. With more than one in 10 Americans either diagnosed with or at risk of developing a bone disease, the report recommends lifestyle changes for all Americans - through regular physical activity and consumption of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods.

"It is alarming that children today are at greater risk than ever before of growing up to become adults with osteoporosis," said Frank Greer, M.D., speaking on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Preventing osteoporosis is surprisingly straightforward - along with regular physical activity, kids and adults should eat a balanced diet that includes at least three servings of calcium-rich lowfat milk, cheese or yogurt each day to help build stronger bones to last a lifetime."

The report also noted that osteoporosis is an often undiagnosed disease, and many people do not realize they have it until they break a bone. This reiterates the need for doctors to check bone density of middle-age or older patients who suffer fractures and for patients to be diligent in strengthening their bones through exercise, calcium and vitamin D intake. Regularly regarded as a disease faced by only Caucasian women, other ethnicities and men can also suffer from osteoporosis. In recent years, scientists have learned more about how vitamin D, most commonly found in fortified dairy foods, helps the body absorb and deposit calcium into bones and teeth. A number of studies have linked decreased milk consumption and increased soft drink consumption to a rise in rickets and fractures among adolescents.

"Parents are children's best role models when it comes to healthy eating," said Lori Hoolihan, Ph.D., R.D., Dairy Council of California nutrition research specialist. "Parents need to teach their children early on the importance of eating a nutritious diet that includes enough calcium and other nutrients. Further, they need to model that behavior themselves through their food choices. By doing this, parents can be assured that they are making the best effort of promoting bone health in their family."

Health professionals recommend that Americans, children and adults, get three to four servings of calcium-rich dairy foods daily - to help prevent osteoporosis and reduce the risk of hypertension. To see if you are getting the recommended daily amount of calcium through your food choices, visit www.mealsmatter.org and take the Calcium Quiz. Suggestions are offered for simple ways to boost your calcium intake through dairy and other food sources.

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Dairy Council of California has been providing nutrition information and education programs for 85 years. Available in both Spanish and English, Dairy Council's programs encourage healthy choices from all food groups and daily physical activity. For more information, visit www.dairycouncilofca.org, or www.mealsmatter.org for meal planning and recipe information.

Sources:
Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health, 2004.
NIH Consensus Panel on Optimal Calcium Intake: Optimal Calcium Intake. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1994; 272: 1942-1948.
Khosla, S. et al. Incidence of Childhood Distal Forearm Fractures Over 30 Years: A Population Based-Study. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003; 290:1479-1485.
McGartland C, et al. Carbonated Soft Drink Consumption and Bone Mineral Density in Adolescence: The Northern Ireland Young Hearts Project. J Bone Miner Res. 2003; 18:1563-1569.

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