Nutrition counseling for skeletal health

Abstract

Nutrition plays an important role in skeletal health throughout the life cycle. This chapter addresses evidence-based nutrition recommendations that can be used to promote skeletal health. Maintaining bone health is a significant concern in the USA; healthful lifestyle is an opportunity to promote bone health. The total diet or overall pattern of food consumed is the most important focus of healthy eating (Freeland-Graves and Nitzke, J Acad Nutr Diet 113:307-317, 2013). A healthful dietary pattern is associated with prevention of chronic diseases as well promoting skeletal health. The Surgeon General’s report on bone health and osteoporosis recommendations include consuming recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D, maintaining a healthful body weight, and being physically active, along with minimizing the risk of falls (USDHHS Surgeon General, 2004). Meeting calcium recommendations and weight bearing physical activity build strong bones, optimizes bone mass, and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Nutrition counseling using the Nutrition Care Process is an effective structure for tailoring evidenced-based recommendations to an individual’s unique needs in the prevention, treatment, and maintenance of health and quality of life into old age.