“With this year’s tagline of ‘Step up for bone health’, IOF will highlight the importance of a bone-healthy lifestyle as the foundation for strong bones and a mobile, fracture-free future. New posters and related resources and communications will urge the public and patients to ‘step up for bone health’ by ensuring:

• Regular weight-bearing & muscle-strengthening exercise
• A nutritious bone-healthy diet and adequate vitamin D
• No smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol intake”.

The 5 Steps To Healthy Bones and A Fracture-Free Future

1. “Exercise…
   Exercise regularly – keep your bones and muscles moving…
2. Nutrition…
   Ensure your diet is rich in bone-healthy nutrients
3. Lifestyle…
   Avoid negative lifestyle habits
4. Risk Factors…
   Find out whether you have risk factors
5. Testing & Treatment…
   Get tested and treated if needed…”.

• “When women go through menopause, there is a rapid loss of bone because of decreased oestrogen and this process may last from 4-8 years after menopause
• After this period of time the rate of bone loss is reduced and stabilises”.

“But typical menopause happens between age 45 and 55, so if you enter menopause before then, you’re also at risk for bone loss at an earlier age than is standard. That includes:

• Premature menopause (before age 40)
• Early menopause (before age 45)
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), formerly called “primary ovarian failure
• Medical menopause, whether surgically induced or as a result of medical treatment, like chemotherapy”.

“Postmenopausal bone loss, related to estrogen deficiency, is the primary contributor to osteoporosis. Other important risk factors for postmenopausal osteoporosis include advanced age, genetics, smoking, thinness, and many diseases and drugs that impair bone health. An evaluation of these risk factors to identify candidates for osteoporosis screening and recommending nonpharmacologic measures such as good nutrition (especially adequate intake of protein, calcium, and vitamin D), regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are appropriate for all postmenopausal women”.

“To become aware of any potential risk factors, take the IOF Osteoporosis Risk Test.

If you are over the age of 50 and you have one or more risk factors you should discuss these with your doctor and ask for an assessment of your bone health status. Lifestyle changes may be recommended and, for those at high risk, medication may be prescribed for optimal protection against fractures”.