Drinking more milk does not necessarily develop healthier bones in children. But more exercise and modest consumption of calcium-rich foods such as tofu does. The U.S. government has gradually increased recommendations for daily calcium intake, largely from dairy products, from 400 milligrams per day to 800-1,300 milligrams to promote healthy bones and prevent osteoporosis. But a recent research suggests that boosting consumption of milk or other dairy products was not necessarily the best way to provide the minimal calcium intake everyday. Another alternatives of calcium that can be obtained from one cup of cow's milk include a cup of fortified orange juice, a cup of cooked turnip greens, two packages of instant oats, two-thirds cup of tofu, or 1-2/3 cups of broccoli. Researchers from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington reviewed 37 studies examining the impact of calcium consumption on bone strength in children older than 7. They found that 27 did not support drinking more milk to boost calcium. Previous studies, which examined factors like bone density and rate of fractures, concluded that exercise may be more important than increased calcium consumption in developing strong bones. Data was scarce on the effect of calcium intake for children younger than 7 years. Dairy products provide 18 per cent of the total energy and 25 per cent of the total fat intake in the diets of American children, who are developing increasing rates of obesity. Researchers found that an ideal way to achieve the goal of healthy bones is to make sure children exercise and consume up to 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day. The easiest way to get that calcium is from low-fat dairy products, which also contain valuable nutrients such as vitamin D, which is generally not available from other dietary sources.
Pediatrics,
March 2005.