Starting as early as 10 years of age, self-imposed restriction of dairy foods because of perceived milk intolerance is associated with lower spinal bone mineral content values, according to the results of a study published in the September issue of Pediatrics.
“Increasing evidence indicates that the development of osteoporosis is in part related to inadequate calcium intake and that high calcium intake may slow the loss of bone mass observed in postmenopausal women,” write Leann Matlik, MS, RD, from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and colleagues. “The purpose of this study was to determine associations among lactose maldigestion status, perceived milk intolerance, dietary calcium intake, and bone mineral content in early adolescent girls.”
“These results suggest that, starting as early as 10 years of age, self-imposed restriction of dairy foods because of perceived milk intolerance is associated with lower spinal bone mineral content values,” the authors write. “The long-term influence of these behaviors may contribute to later risk for osteoporosis.”
“Individuals who perceive themselves to be milk intolerant and therefore limit their consumption of high-calcium products are compromising their bone health,” the authors conclude. “Because early adolescence is a period when calcium intake has a significant effect in increasing bone mineral accrual in girls, PMI [perceived milk intolerance] and its consequent effects on calcium intake and BMC [bone mineral content] at this young age are especially threatening for bone health.”