Black youths not getting enough calcium.

• Position: Nutrition - Osteoporosis prevention - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Most African-American teenagers aren't thinking about their bones, but the National Medical Association, the professional organization of African-American physicians, thinks they should. It is launching a new calcium education campaign to teach adolescents the importance of calcium-rich foods, like milk.

Ramona Tascoe, chairperson of the NMA's Women's Health Section, points out that "The teen years are crucial bone building years when the calcium and vitamin D in milk is critical, yet often missed because of the increased consumption of soda and juice drinks as well as misinformation about lactose intolerance."

"Misinformation about lactose intolerance can lead people to unnecessarily cut dairy from the diet," notes Jeanette Newton Keith, assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology/Nutrition at the University of Chicago. "Yet, milk provides calcium plus eight other essential nutrients and without milk it is very difficult to consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D."

Ninety-five percent of African-American teenage girls and 77% of...