May 21, 2009

Mini Camp Calcium recruitment to begin

Girls ages 10-12 are being recruited to participate in a mini Camp Calcium.

The camp will include three clinical campus visits, six weeks apart. For three weeks before each campus visit, participants will consume a fiber product in a yogurt-like drink.

They will then stay on campus for two days to complete a calcium absorption test, blood collections, physical fitness tests and bone density measurements.

A minimum three-week "wash-out" period will follow the campus visit before beginning the next study treatment phase.

The girls will be paid for each study phase completed.

Eligibility requirements include: a healthy weight, pre-menarche status, no broken bones in the last six months and no medications that influence calcium absorption.

Registration deadline is June 6. For more information about the study or schedule, or to received an application packet, contact Berdine Martin at 49-46559 or fnbone@purdue.edu

Researchers will study the effect of added fiber on the absorption of calcium in dairy products in preteen girls.

During adolescence, maximum bone growth occurs and a high percentage of calcium is taken into the bone. The Department of Foods and Nutrition is studying dietary factors that influence calcium absorption and bone health. Previous studies in adults have shown a positive effect of a particular kind of fiber called galacto-oligosaccharide on calcium absorption. Since maximum bone strength is achieved in adolescence, this short study will be studying pre-teens.