During adolescence, what is the calcium recommendation for girls and for boys?

• A. 0 mg for girls, 100 mg for boys
• B. 200 mg for girls, 300 mg for boys
• C. 300 mg for girls, 200 mg for boys
• D. 400 mg for girls, 500 mg for boys

Answer: (B)

Calcium needs surge during adolescence to support rapid bone growth and the buildup of peak bone mass. This period is when bones are forming most quickly, so adequate calcium is essential for future bone health. Generally, boys have a slightly higher calcium requirement than girls during teen years because they tend to grow for a longer period and accumulate more bone mass. So a choice that shows a higher calcium amount for boys than for girls aligns with that idea. Keep in mind that official daily targets for teens are around 1300 mg per day for both sexes, but the pattern of higher needs for boys reflects the growth differences during adolescence.