 Research shows vitamin D boost is no tall story
Source: Melbourne, Herald Sun. Australia by Grant McArthur Date: 2/5/09
CHILDREN born in summer are taller and have stronger bones than their winter classmates.
By the time they are 10, summer children are an average of 0.5cm (2 inches) taller and
have almost 13cm (5 inches approx.) more bone area than winter kids, British researchers said after studying 7000 children.
Royal
Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
president Dr Ted Weaver said vitamin D exposure had a big impact on
baby size, which continued into height and health in later life.
Dr
Weaver said ante-natal screening for vitamin D was becoming
increasingly important, particularly for Muslim women who are shielded
from the sun by their burkas.
Born
on Tuesday at Monash Medical Centre after one of the state's sunniest
periods, Alasdair Duell measured 54cm -- well above the 50cm average
for newborns and enough for East Bentleigh parents Megan Fisher and Ken
Duell to dream of a future as an AFL ruckman or big-serving tennis star.
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