Nearly 48% of adults around the world suffer from a musculoskeletal condition. Unbeknown to them, the majority of these problems begin in early childhood only to show up in adulthood when they are more vulnerable to injuries.

One in every ten kids suffers from bone and joint problems, which when treated as soon as possible by an expert orthopaedist can help avoid future problems significantly. And in an effort to spread the awareness on the importance of bone and joint health or problems due to lack of, every year October 19th is celebrated as World Paediatric Bone and Joint Day.

And we take this opportunity today to provide few tips to improve the bone and joint health in children and thereby decrease the risk of impending musculoskeletal problems in near future:

1. Physical activity & exercise: Active engagement in physical activity and exercise is the most important thing that a child can do in growing years to improve bone and joint health. Regular exercise both aerobic and resistance training increases the bone density, joint flexibility and strengthen the overall skeletal health making less susceptible to injuries and musculoskeletal problems in near future. So make sure your child gets at least an hour physical activity and exercise that includes both aerobic and weight-bearing exercises.
2. Well balanced diet rich: While exercise and physical activity forces the body to adapt, optimal growth can happen only when supplemented with a well-balanced diet rich on both macro and micro-nutrients. Adequate protein improves the muscle growth that supports the bone and improves overall muscular and skeletal structure decreasing the chances of injury.
3. Adequate Supplementation of Calcium & Vitamin D: Bones are essentially made of calcium and Vitamin D helps inadequate absorption of calcium for bone growth. And lack of either of these nutrients can hamper optimal bone growth. Even though these nutrients play a crucial role in building strong bones, majority of the children worldwide are found to be deficient in these two nutrients especially Vitamin D. So make sure your child gets an adequate amount of Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation from natural foods like milk, eggs, cheese and other dairy sources with enough sun for Vitamin D.
4. Keep their weight on-check: Overweight and obesity have become the leading causes of musculoskeletal problems and every year the overweight and obesity cases in children are growing significantly.The excess weight of children not only causes vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance but also places undue stress on the bones increasing the chance of bone and joint issues, mobility problems making them more susceptible to injuries. So keep a close eye on the weight of your child and take all the necessary to resolve weight issues if any.

While exercise and well-balanced diet help improve the bone and joint health, keep a close eye on the weight prevents any potential problems in near future. As a parent, you can lay a strong and healthy foundation for your child to give them a healthy life and we advise you to make the right use of this opportunity. In case you need help, expert orthopaedist and joint replacement surgeon Dr Niraj Vora can provide you with an expert opinion and guide your child towards better bone and joint health, you can contact him here: https://www.drnirajvora.com/