(HealthDay News) — The foods you eat and drink during childhood will impact the strength of your bones as you age, the Nemours Foundation says.

Most of your bone density stems from what you eat and drink as children and teens, says Nemours, which notes the process is virtually finished when a person reaches age 20.

As adults, people continue to repair and replace bone, but at a much slower rate. Over time, the foundation says, bones become weaker and are more apt to break.

Nemours suggests how to build stronger bones among your kids:

• Ensure that children eat foods high in calcium.
• Give kids a vitamin D supplement, which helps the body absorb calcium.
• Encourage your children to get plenty of exercise.

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