Having a calcium-rich diet when you’re young makes a big difference in health, now and later.  By getting the calcium they need now, tweens and teens will:

• Strengthen bones now.
  Some researchers suspect that the rise in forearm fractures in children is due to decreased bone mass, which may result because children are drinking less milk and more soda, and are getting less physical activity.
  
  Making sure young people get the calcium they need will help strengthen their bones against the bumps and thumps of being an active teen.
  
  
• Help prevent osteoporosis later in life.
  Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones weak so they break more easily. Bones rely on calcium they store to stay strong throughout life. But, the "bone bank" for storing calcium is only open for a short time.
  
  Tweens and teens can help prevent osteoporosis by filling their bone banks with calcium when they are young, so that their bones can use it throughout life.

	More Milk Matters - Physical Activity for Bone Health Weight-bearing physical activity is also important for building strong bones Learn more about physical activity and bone health.