[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 106 (Friday, June 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13483]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health

 

Consensus Development Conference on Optimal Calcium Intake

    Notice is hereby given of the NIH Consensus Development Conference 
on ``Optimal Calcium Intake,'' which will be held June 6-8, 1994, in 
the Masur Auditorium of the National Institutes of Health, 9000 
Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. This conference is sponsored 
by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin 
Diseases and the NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research. The 
conference begins at 8:30 a.m. on June 6 and 7 and at 9 a.m. on June 8.
    Over the past decade, both the general public and scientists have 
been exposed to a great deal of literature about the value of ensuring 
an adequate calcium intake throughout life. A number of articles in the 
medical literature have addressed the role of calcium intake in the 
prevention of disorders including osteoporosis and other bone diseases, 
colon cancer, and high blood pressure (hypertension) including 
preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Results of one 
recent study indicated that high calcium intake can decrease the risk 
of kidney stones--a somewhat surprising conclusion since high dietary 
calcium intake had been strongly suspected to increase the risk of 
kidney stones.
    Osteoporosis affects more than 25 million people in the United 
States and is the major underlying cause of bone fractures in 
postmenopausal women and the elderly. Two important factors that 
influence whether osteoporosis occurs are the peak bone density (or 
bone mass) attained in early life (by about age 30) and the rate at 
which bones is lost in later life. Calcium intake is thought to help 
build denser, stronger bones in early life and to slow the rate of bone 
loss with age.
    Results from several studies reported in the recent medical 
literature suggest that increased calcium intake is beneficial for bone 
health in people in different age groups, from children to the very 
elderly. The results of this research and studies on other diseases 
indicate that the optimal level of calcium intake may be greater than 
the amount consumed by a majority of the American people. This 
conference will discuss and thoroughly evaluate the information 
available on calcium intake and disease prevention.
    Optimal calcium intake may vary according to the disease being 
considered, and may also vary according to a person's age, sex, and 
ethnicity. Optimal calcium intake may be achieved by diet, calcium 
supplements, or calcium-fortified foods, or by various combinations of 
these. In addition, various cofactors play a role in achieving optimal 
calcium intake. These include both factors such as vitamin D, which is 
needed for optimal calcium absorption, and factors that can negatively 
influence calcium availability, such as certain medications or foods. 
The purpose of this NIH consensus conference is to evaluate the 
available data on optimal calcium intake and health status. Conference 
participants will include specialists in many different fields, 
including osteoporosis and bone health, oncology, hypertension, human 
nutrition, and food fortification and labeling, as well as 
representatives from the public.
    After 1\1/2\ days of presentations and audience discussion, an 
independent, non-Federal consensus panel will weigh the scientific 
evidence and write a draft statement in response to the following key 
questions:
     What is the optimal amount of calcium intake?
     What are the important cofactors for achieving optimal 
calcium intake?
     What are the risk factors associated with different levels 
of calcium intake?
     What are the best ways to attain optimal calcium intake?
     What public health strategies are available and needed to 
implement optimal calcium intake?
     What are the recommendations for future research on 
calcium?
    On the final day of the meeting, the consensus panel chairman will 
read the draft statement to the conference audience and invite comments 
and questions.
    Advance information on the conference program and conference 
registration materials may be obtained from: Ann Besignano, Technical 
Resources, Inc., 3202 Tower Oaks Blvd., suite 200, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, (301) 770-3153.
    The consensus statement will be submitted for publication in 
professional journals and other publications. In addition, the 
consensus statement will be available beginning June 8, 1994, from the 
NIH Consensus Program Information Service, P.O. Box 2577, Kensington, 
Maryland 20891, phone 1-800-NIH-OMAR (1-800-644-6627).

    Dated: May 20, 1994.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-13483 Filed 6-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M