Duchess of Cornwall warns young people against dairy-free 'fad diets' over fears they cause brittle bones

The royal said young people need to consider their health instead of aspiring to look celebrities

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The Duchess of Cornwall has criticised “fad diets” that cut out dairy, claiming they leave people at risk of developing brittle bones.

Marking the official launch of the newly-titled Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) at the Science Museum in London, Camilla discussed the important role calcium-rich foods play in preventing the disease, condemning diets that encourage people to cut them out entirely.

Making specific reference to food trends promoted by celebrities and social media influencers, she called for more to be done to get the message across to young people how making changes to their diet now could drastically impact their health later.

“It is this ridiculous dieting, cutting out dairy and all the things that are good for your bones,’ the duchess told the Daily Mail.

“These girls see ‘Skinny Lizzies’ in a magazine and they all want to be thin. It’s about social media, too.

“We need to find a way of educating children that they need to take care of their bodies now instead of aspiring to look like someone they see in a picture if they want to protect themselves in old age.”

Camilla also spoke candidly about her personal experience with the disease.

The Duchess’ mother, Rosalind, died from osteoporosis in 1994 when she was 71-years-old – the same age as Camilla is now.

Osteoporisis weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture.

The Duchess’ warning comes after health officials raised concerns about the negative impact that celebrities and influencers can have on children and young people’s mental health.

The NHS’ national medical director, Professor Stephen Powis, said figures who promote get-thin-quick solutions, such as fad diets or weight loss products, are “taking the health of our young people in their hands and should act with far greater responsibility”.

Earlier this week, senior medical advisors said parents should banish phones from the bedroom at night and at the dinner table following studies linking excessive time on social media to increased mental health issues.

The advice also called for tech companies to share their data with approved researchers so their impact on mental health can actually be tested.

“It is clear that some of the content that young people are viewing online, such as pro-anorexia, suicide or self-harming content, can be incredibly harmful,” said Dr Bernadka Dubicka, chair of the child and adolescent faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.