She's teaming with the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) to tackle the calcium crisis that is afflicting today's teenagers. Fawcett and the CMAB spent Tuesday at the World Cup Soccer Facility in Mission Viejo to produce a public service announcement that will air throughout California beginning mid-September. Touted as the "ultimate soccer mom," Fawcett, the mother of two young girls, highlights the importance of calcium during the critical adolescent years.

Teen calcium needs are high because nearly half of adult bone mass is formed during this time. Yet teens are not getting enough of this critical nutrient: 7 out of every 8 adolescent girls do not meet the current recommendation of 1,300 mg of calcium per day. A calcium shortfall during adolescence means many teens won't reach optimal bone growth and density. More than 22 million American women suffer from the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis that can be prevented through adequate calcium intake during key development years and throughout adulthood.

Experts agree that the new calcium requirements are not hard to meet. For teens, four servings of dairy products such as milk, cheese or yogurt supply not only all the daily recommended calcium levels, but other important nutrients such as vitamin D that helps in the absorption of calcium. Dairy products are convenient and plentiful, making up 75 percent of the calcium in the U.S. food supply.

Joining the CMAB in this public service effort is the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Both organizations are struck by the severity of the crisis and hope their partnership will maximize the impact of this important message.
"I'm very proud to be a part of this effort," said Fawcett. "As a both an athlete and mother, this issue is important to me and needs to be addressed clearly and loudly."