Australian Children Are Not Consuming Enough Calcium

Australian children are not consuming enough calcium in their diet, reports The Australian Bureau of Statistics. Over half of Australians aged two years and up have inadequate calcium intake levels. Calcium is an essential mineral for building bone mass and the maintenance of skeletal health. Calcium also plays a role in neuromuscular and cardiovascular health by circulating blood around the body to each system. It is an important part of the diet, especially for children and adolescents.

99% of our calcium deposits are in our bones while the rest are found in teeth, soft tissues and our bloodstream. If the bloodstream has insufficient calcium and vitamin D levels, the body extracts calcium from our bones for our blood supply. This continuous action over some time may lead to bone rickets and osteoporosis as bone density declines. Osteoporosis Australia recommends the following guidelines for daily calcium intake, which equates to 3-5 serves:

- 1 to 3 years old: 500mg

- 4 to 8 years old: 700mg

- 9 to 11 years old: 1000mg

- 12 to 18 years old: 1300mg

Osteoporosis Australia states that our highest bone density is achieved in our early twenties, with 40% of the mass gained during puberty. Children and adolescents need to meet their daily calcium intake for the strongest bones possible in their adult life as the body can only maintain bone density levels instead of building more mass after adolescence.

Children also need to get enough vitamin D as it helps the body absorb calcium. The best source of vitamin D is from skin exposure to sunlight for 5–10 minutes every day, depending on skin type. Some foods such as eggs and oily fish contain vitamin D but are not adequate for our recommended vitamin D levels. Australian children's primary source of calcium comes from dairy foods. For kids that are lactose intolerant, they can gain their daily calcium intake from other food sources and calcium-fortified foods.

Almonds are a source of calcium 

Foods That Contain Calcium:

- Milk

- Yoghurt

- Hard Cheese, such as cheddar and parmesan

- Calcium-fortified cereals

- Leafy green vegetables, such as bok choy, broccoli, kale, spinach and Chinese cabbage

- Soybeans and tofu (Check on the nutrition label that it contains at least 100mg of calcium)

- Almonds and sesame seeds

- Canned fish with bones

- Some oily fish such as salmon

- Chickpeas

- Dried figs and apricot

It is also important to note that low-fat dairy products have just the same calcium content as regular options. However, low-fat milk is not suitable for children under two years old. Kids that are lactose intolerant or follow a vegan diet may have inadequate calcium and vitamin D levels for their growing bones. They can supplement their calcium intake with lactose-free milk, fortified soy and almond milk. When intake is not sufficient, children can gain calcium levels through supplements. Calcium supplements for kids are usually available in easy to chew, flavoured gummies.


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Lipa Pharmaceutical's Private Label range includes Kids Creamy Calcium Chews for healthy teeth and bone development.