Risk Factors For Developing Osteoporosis
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- Gender - Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly than men because of the changes involved in menopause.
- Age - the older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become less dense and weaker as you age.
- Body size - Small, thin-boned women are at greater risk
- Ethnicity - Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk. African-American and Latino women have a lower but significant risk
- Family history - Susceptibility to fracture may be, in part, hereditary. People whose parents have a history of fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and may be at risk for fractures.
- Sex hormones - abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), low estrogen level (menopause), and low testosterone level in men.
- A lifetime diet low in calcium and vitamin D
- Use of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids or some anticonvulsants
- An inactive lifestyle or extended bed rest.
- Cigarette smoking.
- Excessive use of alcohol.
