Osteoporosis study becomes major focus at Catholic high school

Published: 2004-12-10

HAMDEN, Conn. (CNS) -- Students at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden are taking teamwork to the max as they study a national health problem affecting 44 million Americans. Virtually all of the 500 female students -- and many of the faculty members -- are participating in a study of osteoporosis, a disease that diminishes bone density. More women than men are affected by the disease. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Vernal W. and Florence H. Bates Foundation, the entire school community is looking at everything from the genes associated with the disease to nutritional factors and exercises that can stave off its onset. "The different classes are taking on different facets of osteoporosis," said Sister Mary Jane Paolella, a member of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who chairs the school's science department. Students in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, biotechnology and ethics, microbiology and genetics courses will use classroom and laboratory time learning about aspects of the disease within those disciplines. Math classes will zero in on a statistical analysis of lab results. The computer science department will provide a Web page with information on the study. Physical education and nutrition classes will focus on changes in eating and exercise habits that can decrease one's chances of developing the disease.

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