NICOLE DESARIO
AP BIOLOGY
JUNE 2013
There are many factors that lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life. Some of these risks are congenital; fixed risks that were acquired during fetal development. Other risks are created or reduced by an individual depending on their lifestyle; which make them unfixed variables.
Definition: OSTEOPOROSIS (Also known as degenerative bone disease) - "is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density (BMD) of an individual is reduced, bone micro-architecture deteriorates, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone and variety of proteins in bone are altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization as a bone mineral density of 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass (average of young healthy adults)."
NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS (Explained)
Age: Increased age increases likelihood of developing osteoporosis
Sex: Females are more likely to experience osteoporosis fragility fractures
Race: Osteoporosis is more common in people of European and Asian decent
Frame: Thin-framed individuals do not stress their bones as much as heavier-set individuals, and therefore do not have as "thick" bones, and are more likely to develop fragile bones (osteoporosis)
Family history: 30 genes are linked to development of osteoporosis, so an individual can be anywhere between 25 and 80% more likely to develop osteoporosis if it exists in the family. (my mother has it, so I am very likely to develop it if I don't actively make the efforts to protect my bones from degenerating over time.)
Insufficient Prenatal Care: During development in the womb if a fetus does not receive appropriate nutrition, it may develop malnutrition-related deficiency diseases.
(POTENTIALLY) MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS (Explained)
Smoking/Drinking: Excessive use could lead to increased risk because alcohol use decreases your ability to absorb nutrients. It interferes with the absorption of calcium and Vit D (stomach, pancreas and liver affected). Alcohol also kills osteoblasts, the bone-making cells. It also increases bone-damaging hormones cortisol and parathyroid hormone
Medication Use: Some medications increase risk of osteoporosis however discontinuing use of said medications is often impossible, and therefore the modifiable risk is non-modifiable at times.
Dietary Habits: Majority of bone development happens before an individual reaches the age of 20, so if dietary requirements of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus are insufficient, there will be a greater chance of osteoporosis later in life.
Hormone Levels: In females, estrogen deficiency following menopause or oophorectomy is correlated with rapid reduction in bone mineral density, while in men, a decrease in testosterone levels has a comparable (but less pronounced) effect.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Staying active and stressing your bones decreases chances of osteoporosis because it encourages osteoblastic activity, if an individual is extremely sedentary, (coupled with a thin frame possibly) they are very susceptible to osteoporosis, and should consider getting active. Also, an individual with more sun exposure absorbs more Vit D.
Fractures: Increased breakage of bones creates weak points where BMD cannot recover to what it was prior to the fracture. Individuals should stay out of fights, reduce falling, and avoid clumsy behavior.
