Nutrition and bone health : with particular reference to calcium and vitamin D / report of the Subgroup on Bone Health, Working Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy.

  • Great Britain. Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy. Working Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population. Subgroup on Bone Health.
Date:
1998
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Nutrition and bone health : with particular reference to calcium and vitamin D / report of the Subgroup on Bone Health, Working Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    providing the majority of manufacturers continue to do this on a voluntary basis there is no need for this to be a statutory requirement. 11.4 Maintaining a healthy bodyweight Being underweight is undesirable at any age and osteoporosis is more likely if individuals are of low body weight, although osteoporosis also occurs, but less commonly, in people who are overweight. A diet which is inadequate in energy is often also deficient in nutrients. Ensuring that a well balanced adequate diet is consumed is important in helping to maintain bone health. We recommend that: 9. Maintenance of a healthy body weight at all ages should be encouraged. Being underweight is particularly detrimental to bone health. Rie Physical activity Physical activity is an important lifestyle factor which should be included in public health policies to promote improved health. In this country physical activity levels have probably declined over several years in all sections of the population**!. Weight bearing physical activity in children and younger adults helps to ensure optimal peak bone mass (although prolonged and strenuous activity seen with professional dancing or repeated strenuous jogging sometimes has the opposite effect). It 1s probable that physical activity levels distinguish populations at high risk of fracture in the Western developed world from those at low risk of fracture in developing countries. At older ages even the most frail can benefit from a more active life provided the activity is appropriate to the individual. Although the types of physical activity appropriate for old people may not be vigorous enough to give demonstrable changes in bone mass, they improve muscle tone and reduce the risk of falls as well as helping to maintain cardiovascular health. We recommend that: 10. A lifestyle which includes regular physical activity, particularly that which is weight bearing, should be encouraged at all ages, and a sedentary lifestyle discouraged.