Child Development: Toddlers Who Learn To Walk Early Have Stronger Bones As Adults, Says Study

Toddlers who learn to walk before they are 18 months are likely to have stronger bones as they get older. A new study about bone strength and early life movement revealed the benefits of babies learning to walk early.

The study was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research and conducted by researchers from the Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Bristol. It showed that toddlers who have started walking at 18 months or earlier manifested stronger bones that allowed them to jump and run better, especially when they became teenagers. "The findings are intriguing as they provide a link which was not previously understood, primarily that how we move as a young child can have ramifications for our bone strength even 16 years later," said the study's lead author, Dr. Alex Ireland, via Science Daily.

Study On Toddler's Stronger Bones Supports Previous Findings

The researchers took the data of 2,327 participants from another research on health and well-being among children born in the 1990s. Their movements were assessed beginning at 18 months, and then later at 17, the participants' hip and shin bones were also assessed by measuring its size, shape and density through X-ray scans.

The experts learned that male participants, who are believed to be more physically active as toddlers, showed greater bone strength than female participants. The new findings support a previous study done in 2014 that cited babies who walk early can have increased bone mass than babies who still crawl at age 15 months.

Parents, take note! Children who start walking at the age of 18 months are likely to develop stronger bones. https://t.co/NkuuBelxVp

— HT Life&Style (@htlifeandstyle) May 14, 2016

Study's Implications In Treating Bone Problems In Adulthood

"Being more active gives you stronger muscles which can then apply bigger forces to the bones as we walk, run or jump, helping to strengthen bones as we grow older," Ireland said. When toddlers are continuously encouraged to be physically active, their bones develop wider, stronger and thicker. Many of these toddlers eventually become physically active in adulthood as well.

The researchers point out that their findings could help other medical experts in detecting and assessing patients who would have more risks against fractures and osteoporosis. If possible, health experts should stress on prevention early on or instill coping strategies, such as encouraging parents to regularly walk with their kids, per Hindustan Times.