Many factors influence height, including genetics, nutrition, growth hormones, the timing of puberty, sleep, and physical activity. Calcium plays just one role in bone formation.

If children receive sufficient calcium according to their needs, additional supplementation will not make bones grow beyond the body's natural growth capacity. Nutritional recommendations suggest children aged one to three need about 700 mg of calcium daily, children aged 4 to 8 need about 1,000 mg, and children aged 9 to 18 need about 1,300 mg. This amount includes total daily intake from food, beverages, and supplements, if used.

If a healthy child's diet already meets calcium requirements, parents should not independently supplement with calcium pills solely to increase height. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends prioritizing calcium intake from a balanced diet.

Nutritionist advises on a balanced diet for children. *Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital*.

Dietary calcium sources are diverse. Milk and dairy products like yogurt and cheese are common sources. Additionally, children can get calcium from small fish eaten whole, certain green vegetables, tofu, and calcium-fortified foods. Food choices should align with a child's age, taste, and overall nutritional needs.

Calcium does not work in isolation for bone development. Vitamin D helps the body absorb and use calcium, while protein, phosphorus, and other micronutrients also contribute to bone growth. Therefore, instead of focusing on one type of supplement, parents should ensure children have a diverse diet combined with appropriate physical activity to support comprehensive development.

Giving children high-dose calcium without determining their needs offers no clear benefits and can cause adverse effects. Calcium overdose can lead to constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, or digestive issues. In some cases, elevated calcium levels in blood or urine can affect kidney function, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation.

Excessive calcium supplementation can also interfere with the absorption of certain minerals and medications. Therefore, parents should not add calcium pills if their child is already consuming milk, supplements, or multivitamin products containing calcium without calculating the total daily intake.

For children who are shorter than their peers or have slow height growth, parents should not automatically assume calcium deficiency is the cause. If height growth is slow, a doctor needs to assess the child's growth rate using age-appropriate height charts, weight, diet, family history, puberty status, and other health factors. Some children may be short due to genetic or constitutional factors, while others might have nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, or endocrine disorders.

The period before and during puberty is crucial for bone mass accumulation. Besides adequate calcium and vitamin D nutrition, children need to engage in age-appropriate activities like walking, running, jumping, and playing sports. These factors collectively contribute to building and maintaining a healthy skeletal system.

The goal is not to give children excessive calcium but to ensure their daily needs are met. If a child has a restricted diet, allergies or milk intolerance, nutrient absorption issues, signs of deficiency, or slow height growth, parents should have them examined by a doctor for assessment before supplementing calcium.

Do Thi Lan, Bachelor of Nutrition

Department of Nutrition

Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi