All generations of Koreans, excluding infants, are lacking in their calcium intake, a report showed Thursday.

Calcium deficiency is especially serious among teenagers and the elderly and the gaps are relatively wide between the sexes and income groups, according to a 2011 survey by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The average amount of dietary calcium was only 72 percent of the recommended level, the agency said. The daily recommended intake of calcium for adults is 700 milligrams.

The mineral is essential for bones, teeth, muscles and other critical aspects of the body. Inadequate intake could impede bone growth among children and cause osteoporosis among the elderly.

“Regardless of generations and income levels, the amount of calcium all Koreans consume is less than 80 percent of that recommended, especially for the youth and the elderly. More efforts should be considered (for people to) absorb enough calcium for now,” the report said.

Men ingested 78 percent of the recommended level, while women had 67 percent on average.

The levels consumed were 65 percent of the recommended level among senior citizens and 59 percent among teenagers.

The amount of calcium intake also differed depending on income level. The ingestion amount of the highest of four income groups stood at 78 percent while the lowest hovered around 67 percent.

The survey showed that Koreans took in 517.9 milligrams of calcium per day on average, mostly from vegetables and dairy products, which accounted for 26.7 percent and 23.2 percent respectively.

Milk was the top source for the essential mineral with 16.8 percent, followed by anchovies and kimchi, both around 6 percent.

The survey analysis considered the calcium intake only through food, excluding that from nutritional supplements.

More than 60 percent of Koreans absorbed calcium only with food while 39.8 percent took it in through nutritional supplements as well.

Based on the analysis, the disease control and prevention centers concluded that two-thirds of Koreans take in less calcium than the daily requirement.

By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)