Athens, Ga. – University of Georgia researchers in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences are seeking girls between the ages of 9 and 10 to participate in a study on the role of zinc in bone health.
“When we talk about strong bones, we always talk about the need for calcium and vitamin D,” said Rick Lewis, a FACS professor of foods and nutrition. “But we think zinc may also play a significant role in improving the quality of our bones and, in the long-term, help prevent osteoporosis. This study will examine how zinc may specifically affect growth hormones that influence bone.”
Participants in the study will receive free body composition tests, dietary analysis and growth evaluation. During the course of the four-week study, some of the children will be given a zinc supplement, while others are given a placebo. Participants who successfully complete the study will receive $75.
Funding for the study is being provided with a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
For more information, call Lewis at 706/542-4918 or email bone@uga.edu.