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Of the 10 million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis, 8 million are women and 2 million are men. Even more troubling is that 34 million Americans, or 55 percent of people 50 years and older, have low bone mass, which puts them at increased risk of developing osteoporosis and related fractures. The risk factors for osteoporosis include:
Caucasian or Asian ancestry (people of African descent are at lower risk but still can have the disease). Being female. Family history of osteoporosis. Early menopause. Small body (skeletal) frame. Advanced age. Estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause, especially early or surgically induced. Low dietary intake of calcium. Smoking. Lack of exercise. Alcohol abuse. Excessive doses of thyroid hormone.
Risk factors related to other medical conditions are:
Prolonged use of corticosteroids. Use of anticonvulsants. Having a diagnosed case of Cushing's disease, hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism (in men), malabsorption, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic liver or kidney disease.
To lower your risk for osteoporosis, adopt healthy habits, such as taking in enough calcium (ideally as part of your diet) and vitamin D, maintaining a healthy diet, and taking part in regular, weight-bearing exercise. If you have not exercised for a long time or have a health condition that affects your ability to exercise, consult your doctor first. And if you smoke, quit.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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