Tzeadim › 6–12 years

Feeding · Routine

Calcium while bones are being built

What it is

Most of adult bone mass is laid down between 9 and 18 — about 1,300 mg of calcium a day, plus vitamin D.

every day · from 9y · until 18

≈1,300 mg/day + 600 IU vitamin D

Always on

1. Three or four calcium servings a day: milk, yoghurt, hard cheese, tehina, sardines, fortified soy drink, almonds.
2. Weight-bearing activity — running, jumping, ball sports — builds bone as much as the calcium does.
3. Fizzy drinks displace milk; that is their main harm here.

Why it matters

Peak bone mass reached by the early twenties largely determines fracture risk in old age. This window does not come back.

Sources

• Dietary guidelines (Mediterranean pattern) — Israel Ministry of Health · checked 30-08-2026
• Bright Futures periodicity schedule — American Academy of Pediatrics · checked 30-08-2026

Last reviewed 30-08-2026 · Confidence: high

Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.