Cases of rickets are rising in numbers in American children.
Rickets is a childhood bone disease that causes the bones to ache and to become
deformed starting at a young age. This old-fashioned disease is starting to make
a comeback due to poor diet and lack of exercise in American kids.
Children build half of their bone mass during their teen years and
reach their peak bone mass by age twenty. The three most important
factors for building healthy, strong bones in your children are calcium,
vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, and exercise. TV, internet, and computer games, as well as
the fast-paced lifestyle and dependence on convenience foods, are creating new
health concerns in America. The results of poor nutrition, lack of
outdoor activities and exercise have started showing up in more cases of rickets
in the US.
According to Dr. James Beaty, President of the American Academy of
Orthopedic Surgeons: "There's some early data showing that
even a 10 percent deficit in your bone mass when you finish your adolescent
years can increase your potential risk of having osteoporosis and fractures as
much as 50 percent".
Healthy Diet – Exercise Prevent Rickets
What's the solution? Parents must take responsibility for the family’s
food and lifestyle choices. A healthy
diet, sunshine and exercise are the prescription to prevent rickets or even
osteoporosis later in life. Calcium is
the building block of healthy bones. A balanced diet of real foods will
provide your children with the calcium they need for strong bones. Foods which
are good sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, cheese, canned fish, nuts,
fruits, vegetables, dried beans, brown rice beverages, molasses and some leafy
greens. The best source of vitamin D is natural sunlight; that's why getting
outdoors is so important for your children. When the kids are playing
outdoors, they are getting both exercise and vitamin D. Natural Diet Programs For Kids
Deb Bixler, diet and lifestyle coach teaches adults and children how to
live healthy the natural way. Using all-natural healthy diets as
opposed to gimmicks and tricks, her programs prevent childhood obesity
and health issues because they are programs that last a lifetime. Natural Diet Programs For Kids
