Roscommon boxer backing campaign to boost young people's calcium intake

With over of Irish teenagers not getting enough calcium, Roscommon boxer Lisa O'Rourke has lent her voice to the National Dairy Council's campaign on young people's bone health.

The European elite boxing champion, from Castlerea, has joined the campaign as new dietary recommendations from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) – on World Osteoporosis Day - reinforce the importance of milk, yoghurt and cheese during adolescence.

Following repeated hand fractures and the pressures of making weight, Lisa O’Rourke transformed her approach to nutrition, training and recovery with the support of Sport Ireland Institute Head of Performance Nutrition, Professor Sharon Madigan.

Now competing at 80kg, she recently returned to win European gold, prioritising adequate fueling and calcium-rich dairy foods as part of a more balanced approach to performance.

"I used to focus so much on making weight and pushing myself in training that I didn’t always give my body what it needed,” O'Rourke said.

“Going through repeated injuries made me rethink how I approached nutrition and recovery. Working with Sharon Madigan at Sport Ireland Institute has helped me understand the importance of fuelling properly, even when I’m injured. I feel stronger than ever, and I want younger athletes to know that looking after their bodies matters more than reaching a certain weight.”

O'Rourke has been backed on the campaign by fitness expert Nathalie Lennon, as both has shared their personal experiences of under-fuelling, injury and the pressures of fitness culture.

The findings from a National Dairy Council-commissioned analysis of the National Teens’ Food Survey II, prepared by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance in October 2023, support this - revealing that Irish teenagers consume an average of just under two servings of dairy per day, with those consuming more dairy found to have better overall diet quality.

The findings come as the FSAI publishes its Scientific Recommendations for Food-Based Dietary Guidelines for Adolescents in Ireland, recommending four to five daily servings of milk, yoghurt and cheese for adolescents, depending on activity levels.

Approximately 40 per cent of total bone minerals are acquired during the early teenage years and 95 per cent of adult bone mass has been achieved by four years after this peak.

Marking World Osteoporosis Day, the National Dairy Council is challenging the perception that bone health is only a concern for older people, highlighting adolescence as a critical period for bone development and calling for greater awareness of the importance of adequate nutrition among younger generations.

Dr. Mary Harrington, Senior Nutritionist, National Dairy Council, said: “These new FSAI recommendations reinforce what we have consistently highlighted, that adolescence is a critical period for bone development, yet many young people are falling short of the nutrients they need. The new guidance provides welcome clarity for families navigating conflicting nutritional advice, highlighting the important role that familiar, accessible foods like milk, yoghurt and cheese can play in supporting healthy growth and development.”

Fitness expert Nathalie Lennon experienced an eating disorder and the loss of her menstrual cycle for several years following restrictive eating and overtraining early in her career. A subsequent bone density scan raised concerns about her bone health, prompting her to rethink her approach to nutrition and exercise. She now uses her platform to challenge unrealistic body standards and encourage young women to prioritise their long-term health over appearance.

“I spent years focusing on how my body looked rather than how it felt. I thought eating less and training harder meant I was healthy but discovering that my bone density was lower than expected was a real wake-up call. Bone health wasn’t something I thought about in my twenties. I want young women to look beyond short-term fitness goals and consider how the choices they’re making today could affect their health in years to come,” Nathalie said.

Emma Walls, National Dairy Council CEO, added: “Lisa and Nathalie’s experiences show why we need to start these conversations earlier.”

World Osteoporosis Day takes place annually on October 20 to raise awareness of osteoporosis, fracture prevention and the importance of lifelong bone health.