CURRENT UPDATE : WORLD OSTEOPOROSIS DAY

EMBRACE BETTER BONE HEALTH

World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on 20 October. The day marks the launch of a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

The theme for 2013, ‘postmenopausal women & their bone health,’ will highlight the reasons why women in particular are at greatest risk of osteoporosis and fractures. 

Additionally, the marketing of WOD2013 will include an emphasis on intergenerational bone health awareness, and secondary fracture prevention messages will be integrated into the 2013 theme when possible. 

Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), World Osteoporosis Day involves activities by national osteoporosis societies in over 90 locations around the world.

Visit the World Osteoporosis Day website to learn how you can be involved, download resources and be inspired by the incredible activities national osteoporosis societies around the world have organized to mark World Osteoporosis Day. 

World Osteoporosis Day was launched on 20 October 1996 by the United Kingdom's National Osteoporosis Society and supported by European Commission. Since 1997, the day has been organized by IOF. In 1998 and 1999, the World Health Organization acted as co-sponsor of World Osteoporosis Day. 

The risk of developing osteoporosis and fragility fractures is determined by a number of factors, some of which can be changed (e.g. exercise, nutrition and smoking) while others cannot (e.g. family history, age at menopause and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis). 

While peak bone mass is highly genetically determined, after 65 years of age genetics play a diminishing role in bone loss and other factors, such as exercise and nutrition, play an increasingly important role. 

Maintaining a healthy skeleton involves five essential strategies to reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. 

1. Exercise regularly 
2. Ensure a diet rich in bone-healthy nutrients
3. Avoid negative lifestyle habits and maintain a healthy weight
4. Identify the risk factors which you can't change
5. Talk to your doctor: get tested, get treated if required

In sum, doctors said that both men and women should exercise and eat healthy to avoid bone diseases at a later stage.