One in two people in the UAE think their mothers are neglecting their bone health, reveals survey

More than half (53%) of UAE residents don’t think their mothers are doing enough to look after their bones, according to a new survey released ahead of World Milk Day on 1 June.

• The survey, commissioned by Anlene, also showed a third of 41-50 year old UAE women do not consume calcium-rich dairy products on a regular basis
• Nearly half (45%) of women in this age group are not aware of the minimum daily intake of calcium
• Only a third (33%) are exposed to sunlight, a rich source of Vitamin D, for the recommended 20 minutes a day
• Four in five (81%) are not getting the recommended amount of exercise each week

Despite this lack of concern about bone health, more than half (55%) of women aged 41-55 are concerned that developing osteoporosis will limit their mobility and increase their physical dependence on others.

Lebanese singer and Anlene bone health advocate, Nancy Ajram, says: “As a young mother bringing up two young daughters, it’s very distressing to hear that such a high percentage of women in the UAE are at risk of developing osteoporosis.

“If mothers do not understand the impact of poor bone health as they age, then how will the younger generations learn what to do to prevent their bones deteriorating as they get older?”

A balanced diet rich in calcium, protein and vitamin D as well as regular weight-bearing exercise are needed to maintain bone health and stay active.

Nancy continues, “One of the most effective ways to protect your body from developing osteoporosis is to include plenty of calcium and vitamin D in your family’s diet. I’m trying to educate my girls to be aware of what they are eating and why. It’s not easy though! With so many tempting treats everywhere we go, it can be really difficult to explain why they can’t live on ice cream."

“For me, being a mum means leading by example. I want to encourage mothers in the UAE to teach their children why they should eat a balanced diet so they carry on making the right food choices throughout their lives.”

Anlene Ambassador Board member, Dr Humeira Badsha, from the Dr Humeira Badsha Medical Center in Dubai, says that despite diets in the UAE have a strong dependency on dairy products, more than a third of women do not regularly consumer milk, cheese or yogurt.

“The recommended daily intake of calcium for a woman over the age of 18 is 1000mg a day . This equates to roughly three cups of low fat yogurt or milk, or a fortified milk such as Anlene, which has twice as much calcium as regular milk. Two 200ml glasses a day provides the recommended dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D for most adults.”

For regional up-to-date help, advice and support about osteoporosis and bone-related illnesses please visit www.bonehealtharabia.com or visit the Bone Health Arabia Facebook facebook.com/BoneHealthArabia, and Twitter pages twitter.com/BoneHealthAr