Boston, May 4, 1998 - While many people know that osteoporosis - >> << severe bone-thinning disease that occurs when the body loses more bone mass than it
substitutes - can be prevented through diet rich in calcium and healthy
active lifestyles, too few people understand that prevention should begin during >> << critical bone building years of childhood and adolescence. This message
that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)
passes for osteoporosis in this year's Week of Understanding, May 10 - 16. Recent data from the Department of Education of young people at risk of conduct
Review show that in Massachusetts, children are not sufficiently physically active. And as children move from 9 to 12 class, the amount of time spent
be physically active is significantly reduced. Forty percent of school-age children
examinee population can not run a mile in less than 10 minutes. Research
also show that many children, especially women, not
enough foods high in calcium - one of the most important factors
in the formation of healthy bones. In a report last >> << issue of the School of Health reported that only 15 percent of girls and 53 boys
percent met the current recommended daily dose buy lasix generic online of calcium. Targeting young people for prevention of osteoporosis associated with research
results, which showed that the most important period for adequate >> << calcium and vitamin D absorption in adolescents. About 40 percent of the
skeletal calcium is established during adolescence and peak bone mass (ILO)
reached around the age of 20 years. "It is important that PBM increased through diet and lifestyle, because
end of this time and as the body ages, the bones gradually get worse. More >> << PBM during adolescence, the greater the resistance to bone fractures
, "says Dr. Catherine Gordon, pediatric endocrinologist Hospital Boston
children. There is a common misconception among Americans that osteoporosis is a disease
that is only for older people. Osteoporosis
, MDPH awareness week designed to teach people of Massachusetts that no one is too young >> << or too old to do something to prevent osteoporosis. Since osteoporosis is a disease
for which there is no treatment and therapy of this disease are limited to
, every bone broken, prevention is the best focus for life. In 1998
The program aims at educating young people about the critical importance of Massachusetts >> << its first 20 years in the development of healthy bones. "We must work to change the perception that osteoporosis affects only
nursing so that people begin to treat illness, prevent the condition >> <<", says Dr. Gordon. "The programs and activities such as osteoporosis >> << Week of understanding and putting the focus more sharply on bone health in our school
we take the right steps to reduce the incidence of osteoporosis >>. << "
Osteoporosis currently affects 28000000 Americans, with the cost
, related fractures totaling over $ 13. 8000000000 annually. Surprisingly, most Americans still do not know what this debilitating disease
is a condition that can be better prevented, is reasonable and exercise
regularly during childhood and adolescence - a time when bone growth is the best
The program MDPH for young children - and in an effort to stress the importance of >> << bone-supported young children - many elementary schools
in the Commonwealth to take armament "Healthy Bones project,"
. Education Initiative baby manned more than 100 classrooms across the state. Olivia program functions (TM), a colorful octopus cartoon that dream
with bones. Massachusetts was the first state in the country to spend >> << state-financed campaign of osteoporosis. Now in 5th year, MDPH
continues to promote the message "Support Your Bones. They support you, "
active intergenerational call to action emphasizes the vast >> << evidence that it is never too late or too early to fight against osteoporosis. Corporate sponsors for Osteoporosis Increased week are: Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc, flowers, Brigham (R) Restaurants, Eli Lilly
Company New England Dairy and Food Council, Novartis, Procter Gamble,
Teleflora, Total cereal and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. The public can access a full range of educational materials
Massachusetts program to inform osteoporosis, causing MDPH free
osteoporosis information call 1-800-95-bones. Contact: Contact:. Matt Kibbi, x235, Karen Barzilay, x237 or Rebecca Passo, x250 from BBK, 617-630-4477