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I always thought my kids were made of "rubber." They seem to fall and never seriously hurt themselves. But I read an article that said millions of kids break bones every year playing sports. Is this because of all the junk food they eat?

With so many more children participating in sports, the chances of serious injuries are bound to go up. It's estimated that 30 million kids are active in organized sports program in the United States. Studies show there are 20 million injuries per year among this group.

There's no doubt that proper nutrition and adequate hydration are two key factors in injury prevention. But other factors come into play as well. Bone fractures are more common in younger children who have softer and more porous bones. They do seem like they are made of "rubber." This is because their tendons and ligaments are stronger than their bones. The soft tissue structures covering and connecting the bones offers a strong protective barrier to injury.

The improper use of protective gear (or not wearing protective gear at all) may also contribute to the rise in sports injuries. The cost of such equipment can seem prohibitive until we look at the cost of visits to the emergency department (1.8 billion dollars each year).

Groups like the American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine are actively looking for ways to help prevent pediatric sports-related injuries. One-fourth of those injuries are bone fractures. They are taking all factors into account, including diet and nutrition. We expect to hear more about this as further evidence comes to light.

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