What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?

Your risk of osteoporosis depends on a number of uncontrollable factors such as age, gender, and a family history, as well as controllable factors such as health, diet and physical activity:

• Your age – bone density declines at a faster rate over the age of 50
• Your diet – a regular intake of calcium and other minerals is necessary
• How much you exercise and what type of exercise you do - weight-bearing exercises increase bone density
• Sex hormone levels – women after menopause and men with low testosterone are at higher risk
• Sun exposure – sun is needed in small amounts for our skin to make vitamin D
• What other medical conditions you have – people with celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of osteoporosis
• What medicines you take – corticosteroids, antiandrogens, and aromatase inhibitors increase risk
• If you are deficient in any vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D or calcium
• How much you smoke or drink – smoking or a high alcohol intake increases risk
• How much you weigh – people who are underweight generally have lower bone densities
• If you have had any previous fractures.