Caring for the Skeleton

1Food for strong bones

• Calcium makes bones hard and strong. It is found in milk, ikivuguto (sour milk) and yoghurt, small fish eaten with their bones (like isambaza), beans, soya and dark green leaves such as dodo.
• Vitamin D helps the body use calcium. Your skin makes it when you play in the morning sun. Eggs and fish also have some.

Grandmother is right!

2Good habits

• Exercise: running, football, skipping and dancing make bones stronger.
• Good posture: sit up straight and stand tall. Carry your school bag on both shoulders.
• Do not carry loads that are too heavy for your body.
• Stay safe: wear a helmet on a moto or bicycle, wear a seat belt in a car, and don't climb dangerous trees or walls.

3Problems with bones

• Fracture (broken bone): pain, swelling, the part cannot move, and it may look bent.
• Dislocation: a bone is pushed out of its joint.
• Rickets: when a child does not get enough vitamin D and calcium, the bones become soft and weak, and the legs may bend outwards or inwards.
• Arthritis: joints become swollen and painful, mostly in older people.

4First aid for a broken bone

1. Keep the person calm and keep the hurt part still.
2. Do not try to straighten the bone or push it back.
3. Support it with a sling (a cloth tied around the neck to hold an arm) or a splint (a straight stick or rolled newspaper tied on gently).
4. Get an adult and go to the health centre. In an emergency, call an ambulance on 912.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.