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Ten million Americans are estimated to have osteoporosis. Of those, 8 million are women and 2 million are men. One in two women and one in six men will suffer a fracture related to osteoporosis.

The risk factors for osteoporosis are:

• Being white or Asian (people of African descent are at lower risk but still can have the disease)
• Being female
• Having a family history of osteoporosis or broken bones
• Low estrogen (such as going through early menopause)
• Having a small body (skeletal) frame
• Older age

Controllable risk factors for osteoporosis are:

• Low dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D
• High dietary intake of protein, sodium or caffeine
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Alcohol abuse

Risk factors related to other medical conditions are:

• Use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, some anticonvulsants, thyroid medications
• Having certain diseases such as 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)
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Taking part in regular, weight-bearing exercise

If you do not exercise regularly or have a health condition that affects your ability to exercise, check with your doctor first for a proper exercise regimen. And if you smoke, quit.

Sources: National Osteoporosis Foundation. Osteoporosis fast facts. Accessed May 27, 2008. American College of Rheumatology. Osteoporosis. Accessed May 27, 2008. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Osteoporosis. Accessed May 27, 2008.

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