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Nutrition News Alerts

Adolescents with Dairy-Free Diets Fall Short On Calcium

Dairy foods provide 72 percent of the calcium in the U.S. food supply.  New research shows that when adolescents avoid this important food group, they will most likely fall short on recommendations for the bone-building nutrient. 

Researchers from Harvard and Tufts Universities found that adolescents cannot meet their calcium needs while meeting other nutrient recommendations without consuming dairy foods.  Using the dietary data of 127 adolescents ages 9 to 18 reporting dairy–free diets in the 2001-2002 National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey and a computerized model, the researchers generated diets with maximal calcium intake that also met recommendations for other nutrients, limited calories and fat, and used portion sizes not exceeding usual intake for this age group. 

The maximal calcium intake achieved by the computer-generated diets within these parameters was 869 mg/day for girls and 1160 mg/day for boys — less than the recommended 1,300 mg daily for girls and boys ages 9 to 18.  The authors also noted that the actual calcium intake of children consuming dairy-free diets was even lower, averaging less than 500 mg/day for both girls and boys, just more than one-third of the recommended intake during critical bone-building years.  The authors suggest calcium-fortified juices as an alternative source of calcium, but note concerns regarding excess juice consumption, including increased risk of cavities and weight gain. They also recommend adequate sunlight exposure or vitamin D supplements and increased physical activity to promote bone health.  

Gao X, et al. Meeting Adequate Intake for Dietary Calcium without Dairy Foods in Adolescents Aged 9 to 18 Years (National Health and Examination Survey 2001-2002). Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2006; 106: 1759-1765.

(Editors’ Note: For strong bones and overall health, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that Americans nine years and older consume three servings of fat-free or lowfat milk, yogurt or cheese daily.  One serving equals one 8-ounce cup of milk or yogurt and 1.5 ounces of cheese.)