Calcium is essential during childhood and adolescence to build strong bone mass. Adolescents grow at the greatest rate of any age group after infancy, and accumulate up to 37% of their total bone mass during that growth period.
How much calcium is recommended by age
- Ages 1 to 3: 700 mg a day
- Ages 4 to 8: 1,000 mg a day
- Ages 9 to 13: 1,300 mg a day
- Ages 14 to 18: 1,300 mg a day
Why it matters so much at this stage
Because peak bone mass is acquired during adolescence, the calcium deposited in those years directly influences the risk of fractures and osteoporosis in adulthood. However, most children and adolescents in the United States do not meet the recommended calcium intake in their daily diet.
Calcium sources and extra support
Dairy, leafy green vegetables and fortified foods are the best sources of calcium. When diet falls short, a liquid supplement such as CALCIO DOBLE, which provides calcium and phosphorus, can help close that gap and support growth in children and adolescents.
An important note
Before giving a supplement to a child or teen, it is best to check with their pediatrician, especially if their diet is already rich in dairy or other calcium sources.
