Could you be at risk?

Your risk of developing of osteoporosis and suffering a broken bone is linked to your:

Family history – if one of your parents has broken a hip, you are more likely to have a fracture yourself.

Age – osteoporosis becomes more likely, the older you are. It affects around 50% of people over the age of 75. Over the age of 50, one in two women and one in five men will break a bone, mainly due to poor bone health.

Gender – osteoporosis is found in men but is more common in women.  Women have smaller bones and also experience the menopause.  A woman’s risk also increases if she has an early menopause or a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries before the age of 45.

Anorexia nervosa – this is characterised by low body weight, low levels of oestrogen and often a diet lacking the calcium needed to build strong bones.

Certain medical conditions and their treatment:

Lifestyle risk factors include:

• smoking;
• drinking more than 3 units of alcohol daily;
• taking little weight bearing exercise;
• low dietary calcium and insufficient vitamin D;
• being very slim with a low body mass index (BMI) below 19kg/m2.

Can you delay the onset or reduce your risk?

Although your genes play a major role in deciding the strength of your bones, taking steps to build up your bones before your mid 20s, means you’ll maximise the strength of your bones and so be better protected against osteoporosis and fractures later on.

This is an important message for young people but you need to take action throughout your life to keep your bones strong.  Try to make sure you:

• eat a healthy diet with plenty of calcium rich foods;
• get enough vitamin D which in the UK comes mainly from summer sunshine. If you don’t get outside often or cover your skin for cultural reasons, you may want to take a supplement;
• keep a healthy weight;
• take part regularly in weight-bearing activities, as this stimulates bone formation. Try activities like walking, dancing, netball, football or tennis;
• don’t start to smoke or if you are a smoker, seek help to give up;
• drink in moderation.