Osteoporosis Prevention For Kids: A Guide for Parents

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Osteoporosis Prevention For Kids: A Guide for Parents
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Disorders, Medications And Behaviors That Also Affect Bones
By Carol & Richard Eustice, About.com
Updated: May 25, 2006

My son takes a steroid medication to control his arthritis. His doctor said this might affect his bones. Is there anything we can do about this?
Some medications used to treat the disease--when taken for a long time--can have a negative effect on bones. Corticosteroids, a type of anti-inflammatory medication, are often prescribed for arthritis. These and other medications can decrease calcium absorbed from food, increase calcium loss from the kidneys, and shrink a child's bone bank account.

Kids with juvenile arthritis need to take special care of their bones, making sure to get enough calcium and weight-bearing exercise. Some health care providers recommend extra calcium each day: between 1,000 and 1,500 mg. Talk to your child's doctor for more information about protecting his bones while he is taking these medications.


My 8-year-old son is a daredevil and has already broken several bones. Could he have a problem like osteoporosis at this young age?
Osteoporosis is rare among children and adolescents. When it occurs, it is usually caused by an underlying medical disorder or by medications used to treat such disorders. This is called secondary osteoporosis. It may also be the result of a genetic disorder such as osteogenesis imperfecta, in which bones break easily from little or no apparent cause. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause of juvenile osteoporosis. This is known as idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. Two or more low-impact fractures may be a sign of one of these disorders. If you are concerned about your son's frequent fractures, talk to his doctor for more information.

Disorders, medications, and behaviors that may affect peak bone mass

Primary Disorders

Juvenile arthritis
Diabetes mellitus
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism
Cushing's syndrome
Malabsorption syndromes
Anorexia nervosa
Kidney disease
Liver disease

Medications

Anti-convulsants
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressive agents

Behaviors

Prolonged inactivity or immobility
Inadequate nutrition (especially calcium, vitamin D)
Excessive exercise leading to amenorrhea
Smoking
Alcohol abuse

How can I get through to my kids? They sure don't think about their bones.

You are absolutely right. Research has shown that children and adolescents do not tend to think much about their health. Their decisions about diet and exercise, for example, are rarely made based on "what's good for them." But we also know that you have a much greater influence on your kids' decisions and behaviors than you may believe. For example, many teenagers, when asked who has been the greatest influence in their life, name parents before friends, siblings, grandparents, and romantic partners.

The best way to help your kids develop healthy habits for life is to be a good role model yourself. Research suggests that active children have active parents. If you make physical activity a priority and try hard to maintain a healthy diet, including plenty of calcium, chances are your positive lifestyle will "rub off" on them along the way. Here are some things you can do.

Be a role model. Drink milk with meals, eat calcium-rich snacks, and get plenty of weight-bearing exercise. Don't smoke.
Incorporate calcium-rich foods into family meals.
Serve fat-free or low-fat milk with meals and snacks.
Stock up on calcium-rich snacks that are easy for hungry children to find
Limit access to soft drinks and other snacks that don't provide calcium by not keeping them in the house.
Help your kids to find a variety of physical activities or sports they enjoy participating in.
Establish a firm time limit for sedentary activities such as TV, computers, and video games.
Teach your kids to never start smoking.
Look for signs of eating disorders and overtraining
Talk to your children's pediatrician about their bone health. If your child has a special medical condition that may interfere with bone mass development, ask the doctor for ways to minimize the problem and protect your child's bone health.
Talk to your children about their bone health, and let them know it is a priority for you. Your kids may not think much about health, but they are probably attracted to such health benefits as energy, confidence, good looks, and strength.


More Information


NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases~National Resource Center (www.osteo.org)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases~National Institutes of Health (www.niams.nih.gov)
Milk Matters Campaign (www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/milk.cfm)
National Osteoporosis Foundation (www.nof.org)

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