Fonterra Oceania raises awareness of bone health
Are you a female aged 40 to 55? Now is the time to make changes so you have healthy bones for years to come.
This week in Australia marks Healthy Bones Action Week. Fonterra Oceania is supporting Dairy Australia in raising awareness about the importance of bone health for women in their 40s and 50s.
According to Dairy Australia, as women approach their 50s, looking after bone health becomes more important than ever. Around this age, natural drops in oestrogen can lead to increased bone loss - raising the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Supporting your bones doesn’t have to be complicated. It takes just three simple steps, every day.
Enjoying calcium-rich dairy foods like milk, cheese and yoghurt, staying active with weight-bearing exercises and getting safe sunshine for vitamin D, can make a real difference.
Fonterra Oceania Nutrition and Regulatory Specialist, Annette Yiu, is a dietitian and an advocate for this important cause.
“As a busy mum, I know myself that with everything going on in life, bone health often gets overlooked, especially for women aged 40-55. We’re trying to do it all and sometimes we forget about ourselves. I don’t believe Australian women are alone in this!
“This week serves as an important reminder to all women to prioritise your health. As we get older, we need to be aware of our bodies' changing needs,” she said.
Research from Dairy Australia reveals that while 98 per cent of Australian’s have dairy in their fridge and more than half have thought about their bone health in the past year, only seven per cent of women aged 50 and over are getting the recommended four daily serves of dairy a day to support their bones.*
All it takes is awareness and simple changes, for stronger bones.
Top reasons why dairy is important for women aged 50 and over:
1. Increased dairy needs
For women over 50, the recommended daily intake rises from 2.5 serves to 4 serves of dairy.
2. Hormonal shifts
Women face a sharp drop in oestrogen during menopause and become more vulnerable to bone loss - making consistent calcium intake essential to maintain strong, healthy bones
3. Protein power
Dairy is a high-quality, complete protein - helping build and repair muscle. Whether it’s yoghurt for a snack or cheese in your lunch, dairy makes hitting your protein goals simple, delicious, and effective.
4. Happy bones, happy life
Bones are living tissue, they need the right fuel and movement to stay strong. Dairy packs a nutrient punch with a variety of essential nutrients including calcium to support strong bones.
Pair it with weight-bearing exercise like walking, dancing, or strength training and your bones will thank you!
To find out more about the goodness of dairy, visit our Dairy Nutrition Hub.
*2.5 serves daily for adults 19–50; 4 serves for women 50+ Source: Dairy Australia.