峰值骨质量（Peak bone mass）可以粗略地理解为骨密度（bone density）最大时期，一般认为女性至20岁时的骨密度最大，以后随着年龄的增大而骨密度或称骨质量亦随之减少或降低，女性至更年期前后极易出现骨质疏松（osteoporosis）。因此，美国CDC的专家们认为“女性于青少年时期通过合理的运动和钙的摄入，以尽量获得最大的峰值骨质量对预防因年龄增大而出现的骨质疏松具有非常重要的意义。”由此看来，重视钙的摄入并非老年人之专利，年轻人更需关注啊！

Peak Bone Mass

Peak bone mass refers to the genetic potential for bone density. By the age of 20, the average woman has acquired most of her skeletal mass. A large decline in bone mass occurs in older adults, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. For women this occurs around the time of menopause.

It is important for young girls to reach their peak bone mass in order to maintain bone health throughout life. A person with high bone mass as a young adult will be more likely to have a higher bone mass later in life. Inadequate calcium consumption and physical activity early on could result in a failure to achieve peak bone mass in adulthood.