Originally published October 20 2005
Skipping breakfast can weaken the bones of young girls
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Journal of the American Dietetic Association recently published a study that suggests skipping breakfast jeopardizes bone health in young teenage girls.
Around a million teenage girls in California alone are skipping breakfast daily putting them at a heightened risk of broken bones and a whole host of other problems.
For many young girls, breakfast is literally a thing of the past.
According to a new study published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, teen girls increasingly skip breakfast as they get older, which compromises bone health at a critical time in their lives.
The study, which followed almost 2,400 girls for nine years through their teen years, found the number of girls skipping breakfast more than doubled from age 9 to 19.
Approximately 25% of 9 year-old girls skipped breakfast, but that number rose to around 75% by the age of 19.
"While detrimental for all kids, cutting out the morning meal is especially harmful to girls," explained Dr. Celia Brown, MD, Family Doctor, General Medicine and Pediatrics.
The nutrients teens miss when they skip breakfast are rarely recouped at other meals.
Many teenagers cite early morning rushing and lack of healthy food choices at home as reasons for skipping breakfast.
Doctors say cutting breakfast, far from being healthy, actually promotes weight gain.
"Along with other healthy foods, parents need to put milk on the table first thing in the morning," continues Dr. Brown.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that girls consume 1,300 milligrams or 130% Daily Value (% DV) of calcium each day to ensure healthy bone development.
glass of low-fat, skim milk or even lactose-free milk contains 300 mg of calcium.
For more information about why girls skip breakfast, what parents can do to encourage the morning meal, and quick, nutritious breakfast recipes, visit http://www.gotmilk.com.
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