Healthy Bones
Science: Year 3 & 4 National Curriculum, topic 2.2.2
Healthy Bones
A good diet is necessary for healthy bones.
What's needed for healthy bones?
- Two important nutrients needed for strong bones:
- Calcium.
- Vitamin D.
Sources of calcium
- Good sources of calcium are:
- Dairy.
- Green vegetables.
- Soya.
- Nuts.
- Some bread has added calcium.
Sources of vitamin D
- Vitamin D is made by our bodies from sunlight on our skin.
- People who do not get much sunlight or who have dark skin may not make enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is made by our bodies from sunlight on our skin. People who do not get much sunlight or who have dark skin may not make enough vitamin D.
Too little vitamin D
- Too little vitamin D can cause bones to not grow hard enough.
- A disease caused by a lack of vitamin D is rickets.
Rickets
- Rickets happens when the bones do NOT grow properly.
- Rickets can cause limbs to look bent.
- Rickets was a common disease in Victorian times.
Staying healthy
- Children need some sunlight for vitamin D.
- Children must also be careful not to burn or damage their skin.
Sources of vitamin D
- Oily fish like sardines and mackerel.
- Red meat like beef and lamb.
- Eggs.
- Some buttery spreads are fortified (added) with vitamin D.
- Some cereals are fortified (added) with vitamin D.
- Some people take vitamin D pills.
- Never take any pills without talking to a doctor.
Test yourself on Healthy Bones
How do our bodies make vitamin D?
What is the disease caused by a lack of vitamin D?