Study of the Effect of a Calcium-rich Diet on Bone Health in Girls

Effect of Calcium Foods on Bone Quality in Pubertal Females

The aim of this experimental study was to test the effect of increasing dietary calcium intake to 1500 mg/day on increases in bone quality in adolescent females. The hypothesis to be tested is: adolescent females who consume a high calcium diet will have a greater increase in bone quality, as measured by densitometry and ultrasound, than adolescent females who consume their usual dietary calcium intake.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Inclusion criteria were being female and nine years of age with usual dietary calcium intake 1100 mg/day or less.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria included history of any of the following: lactose intolerance, milk allergy, corticosteroid or anticonvulsant therapy, familial hypercholesterolemia, mental or physical handicaps, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, or any significant health problem reported by the parents. We also excluded any child who had a body mass index (BMI)85th percentile for age and gender and children who practiced or played any organized sport (including gymnastics or dance) more than three times per week.