Bone thinning (osteoporosis) occurs when bone loss outpaces bone gain. Bone loss leads to an increased risk of bone fracture.

Each year, some 300,000 elderly Americans suffer hip fractures, leading to hospitalization, incapacitation and even death. In Europe, Japan and the USA, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates more than seventy five million people have osteoporosis.

Bone is constantly being turned over but when the loss outpaces the gain, bone thinning occurs.

• Osteopenia is the term for mild bone loss.
• Osteoporosis is the term for serious bone loss.

In women, bone loss is linked to hormone levels especially estrogen and so after menopause, women are more susceptible to developing osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Preventing bone thinning

The average woman achieves most of her bone mass by about twenty years of age. Therefore it is important that young girls get good nutrition to aid in building up peak bone mass which can carry through to adulthood. Poor calcium intake and little physical exercise can contribute to a failure to reach peak bone mass as an adult.

Kids from 9 to 18 years of age will need about 1300 milligrams of calcium. Three cups of milk will contain about 900 milligrams of calcium and with the addition of other calcium rich foods, they can reach the amount needed to achieve peak bone mass as adults and avoid severe bone thinning later in life.