KAU launches building bones awareness campaign

Build it. What should we be building? We, and especially the women among us, should be building our bones.

April 21, 2013

Amal Al-Sibai

 


Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

 


 


JEDDAH — Build it. What should we be building? We, and especially the women among us, should be building our bones.



In Saudi Arabia, osteoporosis (bone weakness and deterioration) is a serious issue, affecting nearly 40 percent of women above the age of 40. Osteoporosis makes bones more prone to fractures which in turn can impair the woman’s quality of life.



The irony is that one of the best preventive measures against osteoporosis is getting enough of the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D, and this country has such an abundance of sunlight.



To educate the public on practical ways to strengthen their bones and prevent osteoporosis, students of the Applied Medical Sciences College at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) have launched a bone health awareness campaign called “Build It.”



The goal of the campaign is to show girls and young women how they can build their bones starting from a young age, to keep their bones healthy and sturdy even as they get older.



The students have set up a variety of ways to reach out to the public, including short YouTube videos to get across simple and clear health messages.



They have also organized a workshop that will be held in the Red Sea Mall (Gate 8) from April 24 - 26. The campaign aims at raising awareness about osteoporosis in the society.



Many well known Saudi celebrities will be participating at the event to meet visitors, get more people involved, and help raise awareness about bone health in our community.



Moumen Afandi, the producer of popular Saudi youth satirical YouTube videos, has also joined the campaign. He said: “It is good to know something about everything but what is more important is to know everything related to your health.”



The campaign stresses the importance of drinking milk because it has a variety of components that help build density, such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and proteins.



Without the presence of an adequate level of vitamin D in the body, not enough calcium will be absorbed from foods to build stronger bones.



Exposing the face and hands to direct sunlight for 15 minutes a day is just enough for the skin to produce the vitamin D that we need so much.



Food rich in vitamin D are cod liver oil, fatty fish, sweet potatoes, egg yolk, vegetable oils, and butter.



In the United States, milk and other dairy products are fortified with vitamin D.



Did you know that the amount calcium you absorb from that cold glass of milk may be influenced by the time you choose to drink your milk?



The Applied Medical Sciences students found out that the best time to drink milk is at night, right before bed, and well after dinner is over.



The calcium in milk helps relax the nerves, can help you sleep better, and extraordinarily the absorption of calcium actually increases while you sleep.



Avoid drinking milk with meals because other minerals and substances in a big meal can interfere with the absorption of calcium. Since milk contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, it is considered a mini-meal on its own and should be taken alone or with a few dates.  



A clinical nutritionist graduate from KAU, Sundus Malaika, said: “If you were planning to build a house, you would take extra care to make sure that the foundation is strong, durable, and tough so that the house will be resilient and last a lifetime.



“Likewise, the foundation of the body is bones, and we need to build a sound foundation so that they will stay healthy for life.”



Raneem Al-Amoudi, a physical therapist, said: “Although we cannot stop the clock or ward off all age related illnesses, we can take simple steps that help protect bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Exercise is one of the best ways to increase bone density, keep them stronger, and also improve overall health.”



Bone building exercises that impact bones are walking, jogging, running, dancing, joining an aerobics class, jumping rope, stair climbing, tennis, and hiking.


April 21, 2013
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