News: Junk food to blame for more than a large waistline

We know that junk food is bad for your waistline, but its impact on your health doesn’t stop there, according to this article from The Huffington Post.

Junk food actually robs our bones of the calcium they need to grow and stay strong, leaving us at a greater risk for degenerative conditions such as osteoporosis.

According to the article, written by Cy Frank, executive director at the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, “a diet high in saturated fats and sugar blocks ingested calcium from being absorbed, causing it to be excreted in the urine.” Saturated fats also coat the intestines, forming a barrier calcium can’t be absorbed through.

Combine brittle, weak bones with the added fat a diet high in junk food is sure to add to your body, and it’s no wonder osteoporosis fractures are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined.

Building strong bones in childhood is the best defence against developing osteoporosis, according to Osteoporosis Canada. With approximately 1 in 4 Canadian children being overweight or obese, I think it’s likely that osteoporosis cases will rise.

What do you think? Are unhealthy eating habits setting our children up for a future with osteoporosis?

Related:
‘ Osteoporosis Canada ups vitamin D recommendations
‘ Osteoporosis: Why you need to act now
‘ Should junk food ads be banned from kids’ TV?