Tom Bridgeland wrote:

>
>The Japanese eat lots of boney fish and greens, which are supposed to
>be high in calcium (they chew the bones) but osteo is very prevelent
>among older women. Completely bent over, broken-backed grandmothers
>are a common sight. Young japanese, who now drink milk regularly, are
>much larger boned than their parents.
>
Could the hard work on rice-fields, working bent over have something to
do with that as well?  Or are those women that have never worked hard
manual labour just as touhed by osteo?  Actually hard work was
associated with building strong bones but being in positions  on the
rice-fields that the human body was never designed for is the cause of
this discomfort.
I ask because last week we had a documentary here on tv about people in
Japan working up to very old age.  Not because they like it but because
thee is no national pension and they are just poor. A  dr  at the ag of
75 drives twice a week to the country to treat the old folks!! He stated
that most people in the country that have worked at the ricefields have
that same back problem.
Also coming from a country that homes the largest people on the planet
(Holland) I can guarantee you that long boned and tall is not the same
as healthy. Cows and milk are synonym for  Holland and we drink loads of
milk here....
We have a country full of young people conplaining about serious
backproblems.  They  are just taller then is good for them.

Christy