Building strong bones

The Body Composition Unit at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center’s Obesity Research Center is currently seeking children ages 6-16 to participate in its Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study. The study will establish normal standards of bone density, enabling doctors to prevent osteoporosis in children and adolescents. According to Mary Horlick, M.D., the principal investigator at the St. Luke’s-Roosevelt study site, the information acquired in the study will help with diagnosis and treatment of the disease, while helping determine preventive health and dietary standards. Advancement in the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in adulthood over the last two decades has shown that prevention can best be accomplished during the childhood years. Study participants will have their bone density measured through a safe and painless 20-minute procedure, while reclining comfortably on a bed. Four visits are required over a three-year period. All participants will receive a cash reimbursement and a gift. For more information, call Michelle at (212) 523-KIDS (5437).