Over the past generation, fracture incidence in children has increased dramatically. A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that boys are 32% more likely, and girls are 56% more likely, to break a bone than their parents were in their youth. Broken bones in childhood are painful, expensive, inconvenient and increase risk for future fracture. Measures that can be taken to prevent fractures are worth pursuing.

In 2008, we developed a continuing education course for health professionals titled, Bone Health for Children and Adolescents: Implications for Client Counseling and we have just completed a 2011 update. This course includes a 30-minute narrated PowerPoint and a 20-page supporting document for additional in-depth reading. It reviews the literature on bone health issues in children and adolescents and is worth 3 continuing education credits. The updated version:

• Incorporates the new Calcium and Vitamin D Institute of Medicine recommendations issued in November 2010
• Incorporates the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Identifies lifestyle and dietary factors related to suboptimal bone deposition and increased risk of fracture in children and adolescents
• Identifies resources to assess calcium status in children and adolescents
• Summarizes insights from three renowned bone-health experts – two clinicians and one researcher
• Outlines how health professionals can support families to implement lifestyle changes that reduce risk of fractures now and later in life
   

You can access the course online at: http://www.dairycouncilofca.org/HealthProfessionals/BoneHealthCourse/BH_online.aspx

There is no cost to take the course; if you wish to apply for CE units the cost is $36. Taking this course is an inexpensive and effecient way to attain CE credits while learning about an important childhood nutrition topic. If you complete the course, please let us know what you think; we are always looking for suggestions to improve our course offerings.

Maureen Bligh, MA, RD

Project Manager