Dietary Calcium Consumption is Better Among Female High School Students who are Athletes

Abstract

Gaining optimal bone mass in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood is believed to be the best protection against bone loss and osteoporosis. Women in teen and early adult years need to consume more dietary calcium in order to build bone mass. In addition, weight bearing activity enhances bone mineralization which promotes and protects bone mass density. A thirty-three item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was designed to estimate dietary calcium consumption habits. Foods included in the questionnaire included those commonly consumed by the teenage population. A typical portion size was listed to facilitate accurate estimations of the number of servings consumed. Incomplete surveys were not included in the data analysis. One hundred thirty-five females attending three suburban high schools in New Jersey were surveyed. Dietary and demographic data were complete for 67 athletes and 56 non-athletes. The respondents were predominately Caucasian (92% of the athletes and 86% of the non-athletes). Female athletes consumed significantly more calcium (P<0.05) than non-athletes. Athletes also consumed significantly less coffee and soft drinks than non-athletes. High school female athletes reported having dietary habits that, when combined with activity, should reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis. Future studies need to look at racial and cultural factors that might impact calcium intake in this age group.