[Nutrition and bone health in children]

Adequate nutrient intake is an important component of maintaining bone health, and should be encouraged in all age groups. Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced, leading to weakness of the skeleton and increased risk of fracture, particularly of the spine and hip. Osteoporosis is a global public health problem which currently affects a great proportion of women and men, and is increasing in significance as the population of the world both grows in size and lives longer. Bone loss does not have any symptoms, and often the first sign of having osteoporosis is a fracture. Studies in children and adolescents have shown that calcium and Vitamin D supplements seems to enhance the rate of bone mineral acquisition, and can play a role in osteoporosis prevention. In this paper we review some of the more important questions about this condition, its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention.