Invest In Your Bones
How diet, lifestyles and genetics affect bone development in young people
This 12-page report was launched as part of a series of global activities taking place on or around World Osteoporosis Day, October 20, 2001. Written by Prof. Jean-Philippe Bonjour, a leading expert in the field and a member of IOF's Committee of Scientific Advisors, the report explains the facts and fallacies of how diet, lifestyle and genetics affects bone development in young people.
Report highlights
It is estimated that a 10% increase of peak bone mass in children reduces the risk of an osteoporotic fracture during adult life by 50%.
In girls, the bone tissue accumulated during the ages 11-13 approximately equals the amount lost during the 30 years following menopause.
A sedentary lifestyle – too much TV, computer use – is bad for bone development. On the other hand, children and adolescents who exercise regularly show significant increase in bone mass.
Bone mineral mass gain in the spine increases five-fold during the ages 11-14 in girls and 13-17 in boys.
Avoiding tobacco use during adolescence is an efficient way of reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures in later life.
Download the report
in Arabic (PDF, 893.6 KB)
in Bulgarian (PDF, 593.4 KB)
in English (PDF, 533.9 KB)
in French (PDF, 1.4 MB)
in Italian (PDF, 496 KB)
See IOF's compilation of worldwide educations programmes to teach youth about bone health: Visit the Bone Education Resource Center
