TEENAGERS in Wales, particularly girls, may be the victims of a brittle bone 'timebomb' later in life, experts warned today.

One in five teenage girls and one in 10 boys do not take in enough calcium in the foods they eat and do not take enough exercise, putting themselves at greater risk of suffering potentially crippling osteoporosis in middle and old age.

Experts have told a Calcium Summit in Cardiff - one of three being held in the UK this week - that more must be done to raise awareness among young people of the dangers and to stimulate debate among policymakers.

"We are already seeing evidence of the consequences of reduced calcium intake among the young, in an epidemic of osteoporosis and related fractures in older people," said bone health expert Professor David Purdie, one of today's speakers.

"The challenge is to influence the eating and exercise habits of a young generation that is being bombarded with advice but is not acting upon it."

The Calcium Summit, backed by the Milk Development Council, is examining solutions to a problem which costs the taxpayer £1.7 billion per year - the health and social care cost of osteoporosis, which is in many cases, a preventable disease.

Experts in teenage behaviour, health promotion and physical activity are also at the summit. A similar event was held in Edinburgh yesterday, and will take place in London on Friday.

Four Welsh teenagers who do make sure they have their daily intake of calcium are pop band Dragonheart, which includes Casey Wilcox from Cwmbran.

Band member Tara Panayi said milk is the key to their calcium intake and it helps keep their strength up while they are touring, while colleague Nicki Fitzgerald believes it is important to get teenagers to try to change their eating habits.

"Its scary to think of the damage a lack of calcium in your diet can have on our bodies," she said.