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Exercise More Important Than
Calcium for Strong Bones
Reports of a new study appeared in the June 10,
2004 issue of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. This new study indicates
that exercise is more important than calcium in developing strong bones in
girls and young women.
Researchers
at Penn State University and Johns Hopkins University found that when girls
took in far less calcium than the recommended daily allowance, bone strength
was not significantly affected, but that bone strength was related to their
exercise habits.
This Penn State Young
Women's Health Study began in 1990 with 112 12-year-old girls from central
Pennsylvania. The ongoing study has tracked the cardiovascular, reproductive
and bone health of the subjects, now in their mid-20s. Moira Petit, one of
the Penn State researchers noted, "When we looked at their lean mass, what
we saw was that a 1 kilogram increase in lean mass was associated with a 2
1/2 percent increase in their bone strength."
Dr. Thomas P. Olenginski,
who works with osteoporosis patients at Geisinger Medical Center in
Danville, Pa., praised the study for its detailed look at bone strength, but
warned that no one should ignore calcium entirely. He stated, "There is a
concern that kids might think, 'I can still drink nothing but sodas as long
as I'm working out,'" Olenginski said. "It's the whole package that's still
important."
Researcher Tom Lloyd of
Penn State's College of Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
concluded that even at the lower levels, calcium intake seemed to have
little effect on bone strength.
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