Short Bouts Of Exercise Each Day Can Lead To Better Bone Health In Children, Canada

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Article Date: 14 Nov 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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Simple changes in a child's activity level can significantly strengthen bones and develop bone mass, says a CHIR-funded researcher.

"The message we hope to convey is that a small amount of exercise goes a long way to improving bone health in children," says Professor Heather McKay, Director, Centre for Hip Health and Musculoskeletal Research Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. "Most people think about their bones later on in life, however, the antecedents of osteoporosis and many other chronic diseases are present in childhood."

Dr. McKay is an expert in child and adolescent bone health and part of Action Schools! BC, a program designed to reduce chronic disease risk factors through exercise and proper nutrition. By creating action plans for elementary schools across the province the AS! BC model helps parents, teachers, principals and community stakeholders incorporate simple healthy lifestyle practices throughout the day.

One such activity involved bouncing when the school bell rang: five jumps, three times a day, gradually increasing to ten jumps, three times a day. After 16 months, boys and girls showed a marked increase in bone mass and strength.

The Action Schools! BC initiative began in February 2003 at the grades four to seven levels in ten pilot schools in the Vancouver and Richmond School Districts. It is now being delivered in 1300 schools to 350,000 children across the province. Based in large part on the positive outcomes related to Action Schools! BC, daily physical activity has recently become a part of school policy in BC.

November is Osteoporosis Awareness Month.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research