Prevent Osteoporosis In Old Age, The Importance Of Bone Health Investments From An Early Age

Physical activity can be one of the factors to strengthen the bone. (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Public awareness of child osteoporosis is still low, even though brittle bones since childhood are difficult to correct in the future.

Generally, people only pay attention to bone health when they grow up or before the elderly. They are worried about osteoporosis when they are three heads.

In fact, children's bones can be fragile even since school age and this is not realized by their parents. The signs are also often not realized, ranging from bending posture to frequent complaining of leg pain or back.

Doctor Frieda Susanti, SpA, Subsp Endo(K), PhD, member of the IDAI Endocrinology Coordination Work Unit (UKK), said that childhood and youth are actually the most crucial times to form bone savings, namely bone strength reserves that will protect them from osteoporosis in the future.

"The importance of bone savings in childhood and youth is to prevent osteoporosis in old age," said dr. Frieda in the webinar for Bone Development Disorders in Children.

Doctor Frieda explained that the bone growth process was divided into two major phases. When they were children until they were around 18 years old, the bone experienced a widening and thickening called bone modeling.

After adulthood, this process stops and changes to bone remodeling, which is just a change of old bone tissue to new ones. By 20-30, there is usually a peak mass peak or a peak bone density. After that, bone density will decrease naturally.

"If in childhood the bones are not strong or the density is low, then in old age it is easier to experience osteoporosis," said dr. Frieda.

For this reason, dr. Frieda emphasized the importance of maintaining bone health from an early age. He emphasized that maintaining bone health is as important as maintaining the heart or brain.

Children, he said, need to get nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle that supports optimal growth.

On the same occasion, dr. Frieda explained that there are many things that affect bone health. Some factors, such as genetics, gender, and race, cannot be changed. However, most of them can actually be modified through a healthy lifestyle.

Several important factors that can help maintain child's bone strength include adequate nutritional intake, as well as normal hormonal andabolic balance.

"Cultium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are the three main elements of bone formation," said dr. Frieda.

If this nutritional intake is lacking, bone growth is not optimal. In children there can be rickets (curve bones), while in adolescents or young adults it can reduce bone density," he added.

In addition to adequate nutritional intake, he also emphasized the importance of physical activity to strengthen bones. Medical pressure from exercise help stimulates the formation of new bones and maintains a balance between the process of bone formation and division. Children who rarely move or sit more are also at risk of having more fragile bone risks.

"Sports with body expenses such as walking, jumping, or playing the ball help stimulate bone growth," he said.

Unfortunately, in today's digital era, children actually sit still more in front of gadgets. As a result, the body rarely gets natural stimulation to strengthen the bone.

"If children rarely move, their nutritional intake is lacking, and rarely hit by the sun, then the formation of bones is not optimal," explained dr. Frieda.

In addition, signs of brittle bones can be accompanied byulant delays. This occurs because the hormone estrogen and testosterone that play a role in bone formation also affect sexual maturity.

Experts emphasize that if these signs appear, it is better to immediately conduct an examination of pediatricians or child endocrinology specialists. Early examination is important to prevent long-term complications, including the risk of fractures at a young age.

"Protecting bones is not just a matter for parents, but an investment since children. Strong bones will support the quality of life to adulthood," concluded dr. Frieda.