If you have a family history of osteoporosis, you need to take steps to help your kids avoid the disease. You might not realize this, but the things you do now can help your kids develop strong, healthy bones. Making some simple lifestyle changes can help your kids avoid osteoporosis later in life, and it can help you reduce your risk, as well. If you've already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, these lifestyle changes can help you reduce the effects of the disease. Here are four simple lifestyle changes you can make that will help your kids avoid osteoporosis.
Spend Time Exercising Together
If you and your kids lead a sedentary lifestyle, you may be increasing their risk of developing osteoporosis. Not only that, but you may also be increasing your symptoms of the disease. You can help yourself and your kids by spending some time exercising together. Developing an exercise routine that you and your kids can enjoy together, can help keep osteoporosis away. Some fun exercise activities include daily walks, tennis, and aqua-aerobics. However, just about any fun physical activity you participate in with your kids will help them build strong bones.
Limit the Consumption of Soft Drinks
If your kids are like most, they enjoy their daily soft drinks. Unfortunately, soft drinks contain no calcium. Not only that but the more soft drinks your kids consume, the fewer calcium-rich beverages they'll enjoy, including milk. To help your kids build strong bones, and to help them avoid osteoporosis, limit how many soft drinks they consume each day. Be sure to offer milk with each meal. It's also a good idea for you to replace your soft drinks with a glass of milk. The added calcium can help you avoid the symptoms related to osteoporosis.
Offer Plenty of Calcium-Rich Snack Foods
When it comes to snacks, most kids enjoy things like potato chips and cookies. However, those types of snacks contain high concentrations of fat and low concentrations of calcium. To make sure your kids are developing strong bones, and reducing their risk of osteoporosis later in life, be sure to offer plenty of calcium-rich snack foods. Some calcium-rich snack foods include cheese, yogurt, and even ice cream — in moderation.
Talk to Your Kids About the Importance of Healthy Bones
Now that you're taking steps to help your kids avoid osteoporosis, it's important that those steps include education. Talk to your kids about the dangers associated with osteoporosis. The more they know about the disease, the better prepared they'll be to create healthy lifestyles for themselves as they grow up.
Talk to your doctor about osteoporosis treatments and prevention tips to keep you and your family healthy.