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Give Kids Dairy 3 Times A Day,
Experts Advise
Milk does do a child's body
good, according to new guidelines released Monday by the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
"The AAP recommends children eat three servings of milk, flavored
milk, cheese or yogurt a day," Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the
AAP Committee on Nutrition, said in a prepared statement. Dairy
products help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures
and osteoporosis later in life, the AAP explained.
Seven out of 10 teenage boys, and nine out of 10 teenage girls
in the United States are not getting the calcium they need, according
to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Calcium is important
for the development of peak bone mass.
The report also emphasizes physical activity for children and
the importance of parents being healthy role models. It also
calls on pediatricians to monitor whether their patients are
getting enough calcium.
"While there's no cure for osteoporosis, eating 3-4 servings
of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods will help children get the
calcium they need to build strong bones, which will benefit them
throughout life," Greer said.
"We know that children's healthy eating habits are established
early in life, and the primary role models are parents," Rebecca
Reeves, president of the American Dietetic Association, said
in a prepared statement. "Parents can encourage their kids to
make healthful food choices by including three servings of low-fat
dairy foods in their own diet every day."
The Nemours Foundation has more about children
and calcium .
SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, news release, Feb.
6, 2006
Reference
Source 62
February 7,
2006
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