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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase calcium consumption by people aged 2 years and over — NWS‑13

Status: Getting worse

  
Getting worse
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Most Recent Data:
1,047 milligrams (mg) (2017-20) *

Target:
1,184 mg  *

Desired Direction:
Increase desired

Baseline:
1,077 milligrams (mg) of calcium from foods, dietary supplements, antacids, and drinking water was the mean total daily intake by persons aged 2 years and over in 2013-16 *

*  Age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population.

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Increase the consumption of calcium by persons aged 2 years and over

Target-Setting Method
Percent improvement

Data Source:  National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), CDC/NCHS

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Summary

People need calcium for healthy bones, and getting enough calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Although average calcium consumption has increased in the United States in recent years, many people still don’t get enough. Nutrition counseling and behavioral interventions can help people get more calcium. Encouraging people to use the Nutrition Facts label can also help them track their consumption of calcium.

Topic:  Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Workgroup: Nutrition and Weight Status Workgroup

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