A new study, published online in JAMA Pediatrics, studied the role of milk consumption in fracture prevention.  Researchers chose this subject because milk consumption during adolescence is recommended to promote peak bone mass and thereby reduce fracture risk in later life.  The research used a prospective cohort study over 22 years of follow-up in men aged 50 years and older from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study in the United States.

Based on the data collected, researchers found that, after controlling for known risk factors and current milk consumption, each additional glass of milk per day during teenage years was associated with a significant 9 percent higher risk of hip fracture in men.  However, the positive association observed in men was partially mediated through attained height.  In conclusion, greater milk consumption during teenage years was not associated with a lower risk of hip fracture in older adults.

According to an analysis of the study in HealthDay, milk has long been touted as an essential part of teen diets. The most recent dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend that adolescents drink at least three glasses of milk (or a dairy equivalent) each day.  The guidelines’ goal is to ensure proper skeletal growth and health during adolescence, the time during which boys and girls amass roughly 95 percent of their future adult bone mineral content.

However, growing taller, which can be the result of milk consumption, has been linked to a greater risk for fractures, perhaps complicating milk’s overall protective role regarding hip-fracture risk.  Although the study found an association between more milk consumption in boyhood and higher risk of hip fractures in adulthood, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

The Mayo Clinic identifies other risk factors for hip fractures including age, sex, chronic medical conditions, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, physical inactivity, and tobacco or alcohol use.  A hip fracture is a serious injury, particularly if the patient is older.  In fact, the complications can be life-threatening. Most hip fractures occur in people older than 65, with the risk increasing most rapidly after age 80.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 258,000 hospital admissions for hip fractures in people 65 and older in the U.S.  A hip fracture almost always requires surgical repair or replacement, followed by months of physical therapy. Taking steps to maintain bone density and prevent falls can help prevent hip fracture.