Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Campaign helps boost women's calcium intake

It’s a major disconnect: Nearly nine in 10 women believe calcium is important to their health, yet the same number of women over age 30 consume only about half the amount of calcium recommended per day.

To understand the leading barriers to calcium consumption, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) commissioned an independent survey which reported that women are confused or simply don't know the recommended daily amount of calcium to consume.

An estimated 43 percent said, “It’s too confusing to figure out how much calcium is in a serving of a particular food and then add everything up.” Nearly the same amount (42 percent) agreed that, “I don't know how much calcium I need.” Even more alarming, almost two-thirds (64 percent) answered incorrectly or just didn't know when asked how much calcium a woman aged 19-50 years old needs each day.

In an effort to raise calcium consciousness, earlier this month Quaker Oatmeal Nutrition for Women launched Bone Up for Life, a campaign designed to promote bone health among women. Under the guidance of the ADA, Quaker has developed an online Bone Health Assessment Quiz that will help women identify their risk factors and ways to improve their bone health. Additional tools and tips are available at www.eatright.org, including a calcium smart menu that makes it easy to work calcium into their diet and an Ask The Expert Q&A.

As women enter their 30s, their bones begin to slowly lose the minerals that keep them strong. The rate of mineral loss increases significantly after age 50. Calcium consumption plays a key role in maintaining strong, healthy bones that are essential for good posture and an active lifestyle. The National Academy of Sciences recommends women ages 19-50 consume 1000 mg of calcium per day and women over 50 consume 1200 mg per day.

To help women get more calcium in their diets, Quaker Oatmeal has reformulated its Nutrition for Women cereal line so that each serving is fortified with 50 percent (500 mg) of a woman’s recommended daily calcium needs. Previously, the cereal had contained 35 percent of a woman's recommended daily value.

“Quaker Oatmeal Nutrition for Women addresses a key barrier to calcium consumption by making it easy for women to get half of their recommended daily calcium needs at breakfast,” said Susan Calvert Finn, PhD, RD, and chair of the American Council on Fitness and Health.

For more information on Quaker Oatmeal Nutrition for Women, visit www.quakeroatmeal.com/nutritionforwomen.

Back to Dining Guide Home Page | Back to the top of the page