title: Adolescence: the period of dramatic bone growth.
abstract: Adolescence is a period of rapid skeletal growth during which nearly half of the adult skeletal mass is accrued. This life stage is a window of opportunity for influencing peak bone mass and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Endocrine factors that may influence peak bone mass include insulin-like growth factor-1, which regulates skeletal growth, and gonadotropic hormones, which stimulate epiphyseal maturation. Estrogen deficiency and amenorrhea can reduce skeletal mass. Weight-bearing exercise can increase bone mass. Appropriate mineralization of the skeleton requires adequate dietary intakes of minerals involved in the formation of hydroxyapatite; the most likely to be deficient is calcium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1264, USA. weavercm@cfs.purdue.edu
authors.forename: Connie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging; D000568:Amenorrhea; D001846:Bone Development; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D017886:Durapatite; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000254:growth & development; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004967:Estrogens; D016226:Phosphorus, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017886:Durapatite