Calcium is essential to a healthy diet and to bone development, but most children and teenagers are not getting enough. In fact, fewer than one in 10 girls and only one in four boys ages 9 to 13 are at or above their adequate intake of calcium.

You can help children achieve life-long bone health by talking to parents and young people about the importance of calcium consumption, especially during ages 11 to 15, a time of critical bone growth.

Children and teenagers can get most of their daily calcium from 3 cups of
low-fat or fat-free milk (900 mg), but they also need additional servings of calcium-rich foods to get the 1,300 mg of calcium necessary for optimal bone development.

Research suggests that many parents don't know that children and teenagers need almost twice as much calcium as children younger than age nine. But you can help spread the word. Learn more about:

• Building strong bones
• Meeting calcium needs
• Addressing problems with milk and milk products
• Encouraging calcium consumption