According to Sky News (UK), rickets on the rise in Britain's children:
Professor Clarke said: "I saw an infant a month ago who was referred to me because of delayed walking. The child was 15 months old and could not stand physically." He acknowledges the balance parents have to strike, but lifestyle changes concern him greatly. "It's very difficult for parents because they're encouraged to apply sunscreen because of the dermatological consequences of not. "But it would seem that that excess is too much for bone health and vitamin D. They're shutting out the sunshine which is causing problems with bones.
"Similarly children and adolescents don't go out as much; there aren't as much school sports and when they do go out they tend to cover up."
The NHS states that rickets is a rare disease that affects bone development in children. It causes the softening and weakening of bones, which can lead to deformities, such as bowed legs and curvature of the spine.
The most common cause of rickets is a lack of vitamin D or calcium in the diet. These minerals are essential for a child to form strong healthy bones. Less commonly, children can be born with genetic forms of rickets or develop rickets if underlying conditions affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals (see Causes).
BUT there is GOOD NEWS! One of the major benefits of naturism is the constant exposure of the sun on one's skin, as New Zealand Naturist Federation explains:
"Naturism has many health benefits, despite the negative publicity on the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure. It is a known fact that sun BURN leads to skin cancer but not sun EXPOSURE.
The holistic approach of the naturist philosophy goes much further than just lying about in the sun and getting an all over suntan. In a survey of New Zealand naturists, less than 20% said that their favourite activity at their club was sunbathing. The office worker who spends two weeks of his summer holidays at the beach would be at far greater risk of sun BURN than the hardened naturist. The area of skin covered by a bathing suit doesn't really make much difference when out in the sun - the same precautions have to be taken naked or in togs. That said, sun protection is ALWAYS advisable when out in the sun, especially between 10am-2pm in the summer months.
There is a lot of literature on the benefits of the sun on the body, due to the production of vitamin D in response to sun exposure. With people ‘covering up’ outdoors, there are more and more cases of rickets in the population, which is directly due to lack of vitamin D. The recommended ‘dose’ of sunlight on the total body, required to maintain adequate vitamin D levels, is considered by many specialists to be half the time it takes to burn per day. Not only does it feel good, but the sun has been documented to be beneficial in the prevention of a large number of diseases, from rickets to some forms of cancer (including melanoma), arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease."
The NHS has put a page together to fully explain what rickets is, its treatment and prevention. However, iNAKED does recommend considering naturism as part of the prevention of rickets. Click here to out more about naturism and how it could benefit you and your family.
Rickets - NHS Choices
The Benefits of Naturism | iNAKED
Rickets: New Study Shows Marked Increase In Bone Disease From Victorian Times Thanks To Lack Of Sun | UK News | Sky News
Kellogg's adds vitamin D to cereal to fight rickets - Telegraph
Rickets rise battle to be led by breakfast cereals 'adding sunshine' | Metro.co.uk
