How much calcium should my child get?
-
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences recommends: 500mg/day for kids who are 1 to 3 years old; 800mg/day for kids who are 4 to 8 years old; 1,300mg/day for kids who are 9 to 18 years old. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "The average dietary intake of calcium by children and adolescents is well below the recommended levels of adequate intake."
The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences recommends: 500mg/day for kids who are 1 to 3 years old; 800mg/day for kids who are 4 to 8 years old; 1,300mg/day for kids who are 9 to 18 years old. According to the American... More -
Debra Fulghum Bruce PhD answered:Children actually need two to four times as much calcium for their body weight as adults. This guarantees the child’s bone health now and later in life. Children ages 1 to 10 should ingest between 800 mg and 1,200 mg of calcium a day. You can achieve this with a combination of vitamins, supplements, and consuming three or four servings of calcium-rich foods such as an eight-ounce glass of milk, an eight-ounce cup of yogurt, one ounce of cheese, calcium-fortified juice and bread, salmon, and green, leafy vegetables.
Children actually need two to four times as much calcium for their body weight as adults. This guarantees the child’s bone health now and later in life. Children ages 1 to 10 should ingest between 800 mg and 1,200 mg of calcium a day.... More -
Heather R. Mangieri of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Getting adequate calcium is so important throughout the child and adolescent years. Children ages 1-3 need ~700 mg/day calcium, ages 4-8 need 1,000 mg/day and ages 9-18 need 1,300 mg/day. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich natural sources of calcium and are the major food contributors of this nutrient to people in the United States. Some kids friendly choices include: string cheese, yogurt, milk, grilled cheese, pudding and calcium-fortified orange juice. Other good sources include: kale, broccoli, tofu, sardines, cottage cheese and canned salmon. Be sure to select 3-4 serving per day to get an adequate intake.
Getting adequate calcium is so important throughout the child and adolescent years. Children ages 1-3 need ~700 mg/day calcium, ages 4-8 need 1,000 mg/day and ages 9-18 need 1,300 mg/day. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich natural sources of calcium... More -
Ms. Vandana Sheth of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Calcium needs vary by age. Infants 0-6 months need 210mg, 6-12months need 270mg, 1-3 year olds need 500mg, 4-8 year olds need 800mg, 9-18 year olds need 1300mg. Besides dairy, some of the other good sources of calcium are:
- Tofu (with added calcium sulfate)
- Calcium-fortified orange juice
- Soy beverages with added calcium
- Calcium-fortified cereals or breads
Calcium needs vary by age. Infants 0-6 months need 210mg, 6-12months need 270mg, 1-3 year olds need 500mg, 4-8 year olds need 800mg, 9-18 year olds need 1300mg. Besides dairy, some of the other good sources of calcium are: Tofu (with... More -
RealAge answered:Here are the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on calcium intake:
- Children ages 1 - 3 -- 500 mg per day (about 2 one-cup servings of milk)
- Children ages 4 - 8 -- 800 mg per day (about 3 one-cup servings of milk)
- Children ages 9 - 18 -- 1300 mg per day (about 3 one-cup servings of milk)
From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.
Find out more about this book: Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children
Here are the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on calcium intake: Children ages 1 - 3 -- 500 mg per day (about 2 one-cup servings of milk) Children ages 4 - 8 -- 800 mg per day (about 3 one-cup servings of milk) Children ages 9 - 18 --... More -
Toby Smithson of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Calcium requirements vary by age. According to the National Institutes of Health, children between ages 1 and 3 require 700 milligrams of calcium/day; children 4-8 years of age require 1000 milligrams/day; and children 9-13 years of age require 1300 milligrams calcium/day. Calcium is best absorbed through food. The best sources of calcium come from milk, yogurt and cheese. An 8 ounce glass of milk contains 300 milligrams of calcium and yogurts will vary, so check the nutrition facts panel for a product to have at least 30% calcium (which is equivalent to 300 milligrams calcium).
Calcium requirements vary by age. According to the National Institutes of Health, children between ages 1 and 3 require 700 milligrams of calcium/day; children 4-8 years of age require 1000 milligrams/day; and children 9-13 years of age require 1300... More
