Question

Osteoporosis is the result of a mineral and vitamin deficiency. One needs adequate vitamin D and calcium in the diet, plus a lifestyle that supports physcial activity (walking, use of small hand weights, etc.), particularly what we call "weight-bearing" activity to support keeping our bones healthy and strong. Below is a quick assessments where you can evaluate your risks for osteoporosis. I want you to do the assessment, and report your findings (what you learned from doing it). AND I want you to talk about what you are doing (or NOT doing) to keep your risks low. Osteoporosis is a problem that occurs when you've neglected your diet and exercise for many years. The good health habits of childhood and the teen years, into adulthood, can greatly diminish risks.

Below are several tools you can use to assess your own risks for osteoporosis (you don't need to use all of them, but check them out and use the ones that seem the most helpful to you):

Assess your risks using "Tone Your Bones" a website from the University of Alabama: http://www.uab.edu/shp/toneyourbones/step-1  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Here is an alternative assessment you can try from the University of Illinois---it is similar to "Tone Your Bones" but also gives you some advice after completing the assessment. You might find it helpful to do both assessments for a more complete picture. This first link lists some common risk factors for osteoporosis---small frame, smoking, etc. are some risk factors--- urbanext.illinois.edu/osteoporosis/yourrisk.cfm (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

And here is the self-assessment quiz to help you evaluate your risks: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/osteoporosis/riskquiz.cfm (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)

How do you know if you have a "small frame" (a risk-factor)? Check at this additional link from the University of Illinois:urbanext.illinois.edu/osteoporosis/smallframe.cfm (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

There is helpful info at all of the above links, too, that can provide insight into ways to reduce your risks.

Answer 1

I have taken up the self assessment quiz to evaluate the risk for osteoporosis, and my report says I am at least risk as i had only one "yes" answered. The test says that when you have more number of "yes" the risk to have osteoporosis is more. When I have gone through with the quiz ,I got to know about some of the risk factors which can be avoidable, and obviously there are a few which cannot be controlled. But as a woman, I feel precautionary measures are very important as I believe " prevention is better than cure".  

One of the major cause of osteoporosis is the neglect of diet and exercise. Usually, people have a tendency to be more cautious on their diet and exercise in their mid 30's. But some health issues like osteoporosis will have an impact by lifestyle practices since childhood. Early adulthood is the time where there will be a transition from schooling to college and the lifestyle practices changes, especially dietary pattern. people have the autonomy to choose their diet and they prefer easily available, less nutritional diet as it is more convinient for them. but it has a huge influence in the health status.

I would like to pen down few preventive measures which I am following in my day to day life. I am very particular in adding calcium in my diet like curd, yoghurt etc on a daily basis and regular walking for a minimum of 45 min to 1 hour. Being a woman itself is a risk facor for osteoporosis and knowing that, it would be better to take some measures to prevent it rather than suffering in the later stages of life.  

Also I regret for not taken proper consideration during my childhood and adolescent period , but only I started caring during my mid 20's. To recapitulate, osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weaker and increase the risk of fractures while falls. It can be prevented if taken cared properly by avoiding excessive smoking and alcoholism, including more calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in your diet and maintain a healthy exercise pattern to promote flexibility and body balance.