Ask the Experts- May 2023

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

I have osteopenia and I am 48 years old. I have 16-year-old daughter and I am concerned that she will develop this too. How can I help her? Thank you for providing any insight.

Donna

Dear Donna,

Thank you for writing to Red Hot Mamas. You might explain to her that our lifestyle, environment, and genes all play an active part on our bones. Peak bone mass is generally reached by age 30. You should encourage your daughter to engage in physical activity aiming for 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. This may help to build strong bones. Encourage her to include a diet rich in calcium and to go outside to ensure that she gets vitamin D. In most cases, 20 minutes of daily sunshine helps most people get enough vitamin D. Keeping an optimum weight is important, not excessive dieting or excessive exercising. These things may be bad for her bones. And, lastly, avoid smoking and alcohol use as they will raise the risk for the early onset of osteoporosis.