Risk Factors

There are a variety of factors which increase a person's risk of developing osteoporosis:

• smoking and/or excessive alcohol use
• female
• small boned/low body weight
• race (Caucasian or Asian or Latino)
• sedentary lifestyle

Dietary factors also play a role in the disease. Too little calcium or eating too much of foods which inhibit calcium absorption can weaken bones. The National Osteoporosis Foundation has a more complete list of the risk factors for this disease.

Initial Signs

Unfortunately, symptoms of osteoporosis usually do not appear until the disease is advanced. Some of the first indications that someone has osteoporosis are:

• loss of body height
• postural changes (stooping)
• stress fractures (back, wrist, or hip)
• severe back pain

A bone mineral density (BMD) test reveals whether a person has osteoporosis or should be concerned about developing it.

Next Step

Contact us for helpful information on bone health or read about BodyWorks' osteoporosis program in our wellness programs.