Calcium Requirements of Infants, Children, and Adolescents

To emphasize the importance of calcium nutriture, pediatricians should consider including the following questions about dietary calcium intake.
What do you drink, either white or chocolate milk, with your meals?
Do you drink milk with meals, snacks, or cereal or any other time during the day?
Do you eat cheese, yogurt, or other dairy products such as cottage cheese?
Do you drink calcium-fortified juices or eat any calcium-fortified foods?
Do you eat any of the following: broccoli, tofu, oranges, or legumes (dried beans and peas)?
Do you take any mineral or vitamin supplements?
For children and adolescents whose calcium intake seems deficient, specific information about the sources of dietary calcium should be provided. Adolescents may need to be reminded that low-fat dairy products, including skim milk and low-fat yogurts, are good sources of calcium that are not high in fat.