We often take our bones for granted. Even though we need them every day to provide our bodies with structure and protection, we don’t usually think about them until we suffer a fracture.

Building strong bones in childhood can help set your little ones up for a healthy life and fewer bone issues as they age. Did you know that your bones keep remodeling and changing, even after you are done growing?

Our AFC Urgent Care Hixson team explains how to help your children build stronger bones below, so read on to learn more!

What Should My Child Eat to Build Bone Strength?

The first thing you should focus on is supporting your child’s calcium intake! This mineral helps build and maintain bone health, and it can easily be found in many food products. Dairy products, beans, and leafy green vegetables all contain great levels of calcium.

Vitamin D should also be a priority for your child’s diet and lifestyle. Vitamin D is necessary in order for the body to absorb calcium, so it’s a great pairing for calcium-rich foods. It can be found in certain types of fish like salmon and tuna, as well as foods fortified with it, like orange juice. Your child should also be exposed to the sun every day. Just be sure to apply sunscreen and avoid extended exposure.

Supporting Your Child’s Bone Health

• Increase your child’s physical activity.
• Encourage sunlight exposure.
• Offer more foods rich in vitamin D and calcium.
• Avoid secondhand smoke exposure.

What Does Exercise Do for My Child’s Bones?

Another really important aspect of bone health is exercise! Just like our muscles, our bones get stronger the more you use them. Weight-bearing exercises like running and jumping use gravity to put pressure on our bones. This pressure encourages your bones to build up in strength and density.

The easiest way to incorporate more exercise into your child’s life is to encourage free play and exploration. Running around outside and climbing safely can help build up bone strength all while having fun and getting some fresh air.

People at Risk of Weaker Bones

• Women
• Individuals of Caucasian and Asian descent
• People who take certain medications for chronic conditions
• Older adults

Are you concerned about a possible broken bone? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Hixson today.