"Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients but one of the most chronically deficient,'' said Dr. Trent Jones, one of the directors of the initiative. "We're using a common-sense approach to improving health."

In conjunction with the testing, new vending machines in Lakota East and West high schools offer milk, juices, calcium-fortified water and drinkable yogurt. If the pilot program is successful this year, it will be expanded to other schools next year, said Treva Whitlock, Lakota's director of child nutrition services.

"Our goal is to build healthier adults by helping teens make better decisions on what to eat,'' Whitlock said.

Lakota was chosen for the project because of willingness to put in vending machines, offer calcium-fortified snack bars at lunch and encourage other healthful food choices, Jones said.

"For this to work, you have to provide food and beverages that are helpful," he said. "If a kid eats a cheeseburger, fortify the bread. Give them calcium-fortified cereal. Dairy products are still the best nutrients, but based on consumption habits, it cannot be the only source."

Lakota East senior Ashley Meyer said she was pleased to learn her calcium level was slightly above normal on the tests.

"I don't like milk at all. I drink water and a lot of juice,'' said Ashley, 17. "I (hoped) I would be around normal because I take calcium (supplement) at home.''

Calcium needs

The recommended calcium intake for teens is about 1,300 to 1,500 milligrams a day - or about five servings of milk, cheese or yogurt. Most teens average less than two servings a day, said Dr. Trent Jones, a director of the National Calcium Initiative.

An eight-ounce glass of milk or calcium-fortified juice provides 300 milligrams of calcium.

Inadequate calcium intake puts individuals at risk for high blood pressure, bone fractures, osteoporosis, colon cancer and the formation of kidney stones. Adequate or elevated calcium levels help lower the risk of obesity because of the body's processing of calcium.