In Reply.—I read with interest Dr Verd and colleagues' comments regarding our article.1 They have documented the association between calcium content in water and the prevalence of fractures in 11-year-old children. However, they did not find a similar association in 14-year-old children and wonder if calcium intake is important in older children. During puberty, growth accelerates and calcium needs increase. I and my colleagues believe that without adequate amounts of calcium, teens are at risk of low BMC. We have reported Association between calcium content in water and prevalence of fractures in 11- and 14-year-old children. both low bone mineral status in lactating teenagers who did not receive adequate dietary calcium2 and the positive effects of adequate dietary intake of calcium in these lactating teenagers.3 We are now investigating the effects of dietary calcium on the bone status of 9- to 13-year-old girls.