| Childhood calcium needs |
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by KAREN INGE, leading Australian Dietitian & Nutritionist
Reaching the peakThe fundamental focus for every parent should be to help your kids achieve the highest score possible in peak bone mass, so that bones can bear up to the years of age-related mineral loss in adult life. Approximately 60% of the weight of mature bone is made up of minerals like calcium that is continuously laid down during growth. That’s why a daily supply of calcium is needed for maximum mineralisation to occur. Bone up on calcium: what is it?Calcium is known as the bone mineral, but it also has an important role to play in nerve, muscle function and blood pressure control. Why do kids need it?Calcium is important for building strong bones and healthy teeth. Adequate daily calcium intake together with weight bearing physical activity, a little sunlight for vitamin D and good genetics, are vital to ensure that peak bone mass is met.
Where do you get it?Eating dairy foods is one of the best ways to meet daily requirements as calcium is well absorbed from dairy foods. Encourage your kids to have 2-4 serves of dairy foods per day, depending on their calcium requirements. One serve is equal to 200g of Jalna yoghourt, or a cheese slice or a glass of milk. Here's some suggestions to make it easy:
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When it comes to optimal growth in childhood, it’s simply something that you don’t want to gamble with. Dairy foods, like Jalna Yoghourts, are packed with protein and essential nutrients like calcium, to help your kids grow and glow. 
In the first 20 years of life approximately three times as much calcium is laid down in the bone than is lost during 40 years of ageing. That’s why calcium requirements are the greatest during growth and particularly puberty.