Building healthy bones

Environmental factors have an important role in deciding whether the skeleton will achieve the genetically determined peak bone mass. Children's lifestyles have changed over the years; with an increasing trend towards computer and television-related non-physical activities and a greater reliance on convenience foods. Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for building healthy, strong bones, therefore the children's nurse should consider the following advice when discussing bone-related conditions with parents of children of all ages: sufficient Vitamin D intake during infancy, childhood and adolescence, sufficient consumption of milk, cheese and yoghurt products, regular physical, weight-bearing activity, maintenance of a healthy body weight, avoidance of smoking during adolescence and adulthood.