A study appearing the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine indicates that vitamin D may lower the risk of developing stress fractures in preadolescent and adolescent girls, particularly those that engage in high-impact activities. The study, led by Kendrin R. Sonneville, ScD, RD, Children’s Hospital Boston, Mass, sought to identify whether calcium, vitamin D, and/or the intake of dairy were linked with the risk of stress fracture among girls.

Researchers report that the study encompassed 6,712 preadolescent and adolescent girls, aged 9 years to 15 years at baseline. The study suggests that during 7 years of follow-up, 4% of the girls developed a stress fracture. The results indicate that dairy and calcium intakes did not exhibit any association with the risk of stress fracture. Researchers add, that the results suggested a potential link between vitamin D and a lower risk of stress fracture, specifically in girls who engaged in high-impact activity for at least one hour a day.

According to the study’s results, “there was no evidence that calcium and dairy intakes were protective against developing a stress frature or that soda intake was predictive of an increased risk of stress fracture or confounded the association between diary, calcium or vitamin D intakes and frature risk,” researchers say.

The researchers also note that during a stratified analysis, their results suggested that the risk of stress fracture might be associated with high calcium intake, but add that further research is needed. 

Source: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine