Osteoporosis Risk Assessment
Osteoporosis Risk Assessment
Osteoporosis is a long-term (chronic) disease that slowly weakens bones until they
break easily. It is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. In some
cases it may also be caused by medical conditions or medicines. Millions of Americans
older than 50 have osteoporosis. Millions more have low bone mass, which puts them
at risk for the disease. Osteoporosis mainly affects women. One in 2 U.S. women and
1 in 4 U.S. men older than 50 will have a broken bone at some point in their life
because of osteoporosis. Use this tool to find out your risk of getting this disease.
Your results
Because you are years old, your risk for osteoporosis is .
Your risk of developing osteoporosis rises with age. In fact, older age is the
greatest risk factor for osteoporosis. Younger people seldom have osteoporosis, but
lifestyle choices made during teen years and young adulthood can put you at risk
of developing osteoporosis later in life. It is most common in women who have gone
through menopause, but it can also affect older men. At any age, other risk factors
can add to or lower your risk.
Factors you have marked that raise your risk for osteoporosis include:
-
Your race. People who are Caucasian or Asian have a higher risk than people
of other ethnic groups. Groups at lower risk include African Americans and Hispanics. -
Your BMI. BMI is a measurement of body fat. People who have an extremely low
BMI
are at greater risk for osteoporosis than people of normal or high BMI. Talk
with your
healthcare provider about ways to gain weight. - Your history of anorexia nervosa or another eating disorder.
-
Your history of heavy alcohol use. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways
to cut back on your drinking. -
Your smoking history. Smoking reduces bone mass. Smoking may also interfere with
estrogen levels in women and cause early menopause. -
Your sedentary lifestyle. A lack of physical activity makes your bones lose their
strength and become thinner. Over time, thinner bones may break. -
Your diet. You get less than a glass of milk (or its equivalent) daily. People
who don’t drink at least a glass of milk each day are at higher risk. You can
lower your risk by adding more calcium-rich foods to your diet. - Your family history of osteoporosis.
Your assessment shows that you currently have no risk factors for osteoporosis.
Your assessment shows that you currently have no risk factors for osteoporosis other
than age.
Following a bone-healthy lifestyle now can prevent or delay osteoporosis later in
life. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a
lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing exercise are important to bone
health no matter what your age.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods now. Most of the calcium that
goes into building strong bones is added by the time you turn 17.
Foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium-fortified
orange juice, soy milk, and tofu. Make sure you get enough vitamin D by
spending about 15 minutes several days a week in the sun without sunscreen. Or
you can take a supplement that has 400 IU of vitamin D. - Exercise. Daily exercise must be part of your life. Bones become denser with the force
of muscles pulling on them and with the impact you get through
running or weightlifting. Recent research shows that exercise makes it easier
for your body to use calcium. Other types of exercise good for keeping up
bone strength include walking, hiking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing.
Following a bone-healthy lifestyle now can prevent or delay osteoporosis later in
life. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing
exercise are important to bone health no matter what your age.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods now. Most of the calcium that
went into building strong bones was added by the time you turned 17. You need
plenty of calcium now to keep that strength. Foods rich in calcium include
low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy milk, and
tofu. Make sure you get enough vitamin D by spending time in the sun. Aim for
15
minutes of gentle tanning. Don’t burn. Or, you can take a supplement that has
400 to 800 IU of vitamin D. - Exercise. Daily exercise must be a part of your life. Bones become denser with the
force of muscles pulling on them and with the impact you get through running or weightlifting.
Recent research shows that exercise makes it easier for your body to use calcium.
Other types of exercise good for keeping up bone strength include walking, hiking,
climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing.
You are currently nearing or have reached menopause. Menopause is a time in life when
your bones rapidly lose calcium. You can slow or delay osteoporosis as you get older.
You can do this with a lifestyle that keeps dense, healthy bone. A diet rich in fruits
and vegetables and a lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing exercise are important
to bone health no matter what your age. So is good medical care.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods now. Most of the calcium that
went into building strong bones was added by the time you turned 17. You need
plenty of calcium now to keep that strength. Foods rich in calcium include
low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy milk, and
tofu. Make sure you get enough vitamin D by taking a daily supplement that has
400 to 800 IU of that vitamin. - Exercise. Daily exercise must be a part of your lifestyle. Bones become denser with
the force of muscles pulling on them and with the impact you get through running or
weightlifting. Recent research indicates that exercise makes it easier for your body
to use calcium. Other types of exercise good for keeping up bone strength include
walking, hiking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. - Medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your risk.
If you are at risk, your provider may suggest one of several tests to find out your
bone density.
You have reached menopause. Menopause is a time in life when your bones rapidly lose
calcium. You can slow or delay osteoporosis with a lifestyle that keeps dense, healthy
bone. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing
exercise are important to bone health no matter what your age. So is good medical
care.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods. You need enough calcium now
to
keep up bone strength. Foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, yogurt,
cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy milk, and tofu. Make sure you get
enough vitamin D by taking a daily supplement that has 400 to 800 IU of that
vitamin. - Exercise. Daily exercise must be a part of your lifestyle. Bones become denser with
the force of muscles pulling on them and with the impact you get through running or
weightlifting. Recent research shows that exercise makes it easier for your body to
use calcium. Other types of exercise good for keeping up bone strength include walking,
hiking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. - Medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your risk.
If you are at risk, your provider may suggest one of several tests to find out your
bone density.
Men are at risk for osteoporosis in their later years. By this point, your body loses
more bone than it makes. If too much bone is lost, you may be at risk for fractures.
With advancing age, the quality and quantity of bone declines. You can lessen bone
loss by staying active and increasing the amount of calcium you get in your diet.
Calcium supplements and other osteoporosis treatments do have risks, so talk with
your healthcare provider if you have concerns.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods. You need enough calcium now
to
keep up bone strength. Foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, yogurt,
cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy milk, and tofu. Make sure you get
enough vitamin D by taking a daily supplement that has 400 to 800 IU of that
vitamin. - Exercise. Exercise may be harder for you at your age. If you can, try to exercise.
Many studies have shown that exercise helps older adults. Exercise helps you with
your strength and your ability to get around. Check with your doctor before beginning
an exercise program. - Medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your risk.
If you are at risk, your provider may suggest one of several tests to find out your
bone density.
Because of your advanced age, you may already have some loss of bone strength. You
can slow further loss with a lifestyle that keeps dense, healthy bone. A diet rich
in fruits and vegetables and a lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing exercise
are important to bone health. So is good medical care.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods. You need enough calcium now
to
keep up bone strength. Foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, yogurt,
cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy milk, and tofu. Make sure you get
enough vitamin D by taking a daily supplement that has 400 to 800 IU of that
vitamin. - Exercise. Daily exercise must be a part of your lifestyle. Bones become denser with
the force of muscles pulling on them and with the impact you get through running or
weightlifting. Recent research indicates that exercise makes it easier for your body
to use calcium. Other types of exercise good for maintaining bone strength include
walking, hiking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. - Medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your risk.
If you are at risk, your provider may suggest one of several tests to find out your
bone density.
You already have some loss of bone strength. You can slow further loss with a lifestyle
that keeps dense, healthy bone. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a lifestyle
that includes regular weight-bearing exercise are important to bone health no matter
what your age. So is good medical care.
- Diet. Make sure you eat plenty of calcium-rich foods. You need enough calcium now
to
keep up bone strength. Foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, yogurt,
cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, soy milk, and tofu. Make sure you get
enough vitamin D by taking a daily supplement that has 400 to 800 IU of that
vitamin. - Exercise. Exercise may be harder for you at your age. If you can, try to exercise.
Many studies have shown that exercise helps older adults. Exercise helps you with
your strength and your ability to get around. Check with your doctor before beginning
an exercise program. - Medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your risk.
If you are at risk, your provider may suggest one of several tests to find out your
bone density.
Help from your healthcare provider
Your healthcare provider can help you understand your risk. He or she can also diagnose
and help treat osteoporosis if you develop it.
- Diagnosis. Several tests can diagnose osteoporosis. Your provider will figure out
which test is best for you. - Treatment. New medicines are available to stop or slow bone loss. Some medicines may
actually increase bone strength. These medicines all depend on your getting
enough calcium and vitamin D. That means you will be an important part of
treatment. You will be responsible for your diet and exercise.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always
see a healthcare provider for advice about your health. Only your healthcare provider
can determine if you have osteoporosis.
This assessment is not intended to replace the evaluation of a healthcare professional.