Based on bone health evidence, what is the RDA for calcium in children 1-3 years of age?

• A. 700 mg/day
• B. 800 mg/day
• C. 650 mg/day
• D. 600 mg/day

Answer: (A)

Calcium needs in early childhood are driven by the goal of supporting proper bone mineralization during rapid growth. For most healthy children aged 1–3 years, the established intake that aligns with this bone health evidence is about 700 mg per day. This amount provides enough calcium to support bone development as the skeleton grows, while not prescribing more than what has been shown to confer additional bone benefits in this age group. Lower intakes could risk insufficient bone accrual, whereas higher intakes haven’t demonstrated added bone advantage, so they aren’t routinely recommended.