Health Watch is a public service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

Women's bodies have unique medical needs. This week on Health Watch, we'll talk about some health issues specific to women. One of these is rooted in adolescence. That's when about 60 percent of a woman's total bone mass is accumulated.

Dr. Laura Scalfano, a pediatrician at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says it can be a problem because teens often don't have healthy eating habits. They skip meals, choose sodas over milk, and generally don't get enough calcium or vitamin D. That could leave them at risk for weakened bones and disabilities when they get older. Women of all ages need to get adequate calcium in their diets, but teen girls should be especially careful now to prepare themselves for the future by eating a healthy diet.  

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August 2006

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