WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?

ARE YOUR BONES AT RISK FROM OSTEOPOROSIS?

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Osteoporosis is a common condition that makes your bones weak.
As you get older, changes in hormone levels cause your bones to lose minerals. The first stage is of bone loss is called osteopenia which means that your bones are not as strong as they should be. Your bones start to break down more quickly than your body can rebuild them. And over time they lose strength and structure.²
If you have osteoporosis, your bones can break more easily even from a minor fall, a bump or a sneeze.³
Broken bones can happen to you.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged over 50 will suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis.¹

NORMAL BONE

NORMAL BONE DENSITY

OSTEOPOROTIC BONE

LOW BONE DENSITY

Bone is a living tissue that gives your body structure. It is continually being rebuilt and replaced throughout your life.²
If you have osteoporosis, your bones break down faster than your body can rebuild them. This causes them to become fragile and are more likely to break, even from a slight bump or fall.^4,5

Images reproduced with permission from David Dempster.

BE AWARE OF YOUR RISK FACTORS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is known as the ‘silent disease’ because for many, a broken bone is the first sign.⁶

These risks factors all contribute to your bone health and your risk of getting osteoporosis:³

If one of your parents has had a broken bone (especially a broken hip), or if you have a family history of osteoporosis, you are at higher risk of osteoporosis.

Adults with an inactive lifestyle lose bone more quickly, which increases the risk of broken bones.

Maintaining a healthy body weight is important. A low body weight is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Healthy bones need plenty of calcium, vitamin D and protein to stay strong.

Two or more standard alcoholic drinks increases the risk of broken bones and smoking does too.

Some medications used to treat conditions such as asthma, breast cancer and prostate cancer can weaken bone or increase risk of falls.

FIGHT THE FRACTURE

Take the International Osteoporosis Foundation's OSTEOPOROSIS.RISK.CHECK to check your risk of osteoporosis.

ASSESS MY RISK NOW

RESOURCES

Access these great resources to learn more.

A BONE BREAKS EVERY 3 SECONDS ¹

Watch the video animation to learn how osteoporosis weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. Be aware of the risk factors for osteoporosis, and what you can do to keep your bones strong and healthy.

WATCH THE VIDEO