^{April 8, 2019 - Paris (embargoed 6:00 CET / 12 :00 EST)}

Calcium is a major building block of the skeleton and important for bone health throughout life. In order to support and recognize research excellence in the field of bone health and calcium nutrition, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has established the IOF Calcium Academy Awards. 

The first IOF Calcium Academy Awards were presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO Paris 2019), the largest congress in the field, which took place from April 4-7, 219 in Paris. 

The five winning researchers, selected by a panel of IOF experts, received a grant in recognition of their outstanding abstracts at a special Award ceremony held on April 5th. The winners are:

• Dr Feitung Wu, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

Effects of Calcium Supplementation on Bone Mineral Density in Lactating Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials (P427)

• Prof. Robin Daly, Deakin University, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Melbourne, Australia

Effects of a Multinutrient Fortified Dairy Product Combined with Exercise on Functional Muscle Performance, Body Composition and Inflammation In Sedentary Middle-Aged Women: A 4-Month Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Randomized Trial (OC20)

• Dr Shweta Varshney, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Placental Gene Expression of Vitamin D Metabolic Components and Calcium Transporters in Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Eclampsia Cases (P983)

• Dr Ling Wang, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Peking University, China 

Association of Calcium Intake with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures and QCT Bone Mineral Density in a Large Chinese Cohort (P213)

• Dr P.E. Sanchez Marquez, Fundacion Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Bogota, Colombia

Calcium Intake in Bogota, Colombia : An Update (P973)

The Award was presented by Prof. Bess Dawson-Hughes, IOF Board member, who stated: “A recent IOF study has revealed that much of the world’s population has suboptimal dietary calcium intake, which is a serious concern in terms of increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures at older age. Research that helps to clarify the role of calcium in skeletal metabolism and osteoporosis prevention is much needed. We congratulate the IOF Calcium Academy Award winners for their excellent research which provides meaningful new epidemiologic and clinical insights to help advance our knowledge in the field.”

Abstracts presented at the WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2019 are available here.

The IOF Calcium Academy Awards are supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

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About the IOF Calcium Academy: The IOF Calcium Academy is a new initiative which aims to advance scientific research in the field of bone nutrition and to inform about the role of calcium in bone health and in the prevention of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. A key goal of the Academy is also to support the next generation of researchers as they advance knowledge in this important aspect of nutrition and bone research. To meet this goal, the IOF Calcium Academy Awards, presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease, provide valuable recognition for outstanding investigators in the field.

About IOF: The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world's largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. IOF members, including leading scientific experts and 240 patient, medical and research societies in 99 locations worldwide, work together to make bone health a global health care priority.