Adolescence: the period of dramatic bone growth.

Connie M Weaver

Journal: Endocrine 2002;17(1):43-8

PMID: 12014703

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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.

Address: Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1264, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1385/ENDO:17:1:43

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MeSH Terms: Adolescent, Aging, Amenorrhea, Bone Development, Calcification, Physiologic, Calcium, Dietary, Diet, Durapatite, Epiphyses, Estrogens, Exercise, Female, Humans, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I, Male, Osteoporosis, Phosphorus, Dietary, Smoking, Vitamin D