Children's Bone Health

Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens bones to the point where they break easily - especially bones in the hip, spine (backbone) and wrist. It is called a "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Having a bone break easily or losing height is often the first sign of this disease. While osteoporosis can strike at any age, over half of all women over age 65 have it. Women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease because women have lower bone mineral density to begin with. Estrogen loss at menopause (when a woman's periods stop for good) may add to this.

There are certain things that are linked to whether or not a woman will develop osteoporosis. These things are called risk factors. Some risk factors cannot be changed, while others can be changed.

Risk factors that cannot be changed include:

• Sex - women are more likely to develop the disease than men are. This is because women have lighter, thinner bones and lose bone strength and density rapidly after menopause.

• Age - the longer you live, the greater your chances are of getting the disease. Know that rates of bone loss vary among women and that not all women get osteoporosis.

• Family history - this disease runs in families, which increases your risk if it is in your family.

• Body size - women who are small-boned and thin have a higher risk than women who are larger-boned and weigh more. But, being heavy does not mean that you will get this disease.

• Ethnicity - White and Asian women are more at risk for this disease than are Black women. Black and Hispanic women, though, do get osteoporosis.

Risk factors that CAN be changed include:

• Diet - getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet will help you to build and keep strong, healthy bones.

• Physical activity - helps keep bones strong and healthy over your lifetime.

• Smoking - lowers estrogen levels in your body and can cause you to go through menopause earlier, increasing your chances for getting osteoporosis.

• Alcohol - having 1 or 2 drinks a day can damage bone density and strength, even in young women.