Osteoporosis - Causes

As outlined, osteoporosis is caused when the rate of bone resorption becomes greater than the rate of bone formation. This process is a normal part of aging. There are certain factors, however, that increase a person's risk for osteoporosis. These factors include:

• Gender. Women are more likely to have osteoporosis than men. Women commonly lose 30 percent to 50 percent of their bone mass over their lifetimes. Men lose about 20 percent to 35 percent of their bone mass.
• Race. Caucasian and Asian women are at somewhat higher risk for osteoporosis than are African American and Hispanic women.
• Body structure. Individuals with smaller, thinner bones are at higher risk for osteoporosis.
• Early menopause. Women who go through menopause earlier start losing bone mass earlier. Early menopause may be caused by a number of factors, such as heredity, surgery, vigorous exercise, anorexia (see anorexia nervosa entry), and bulimia (see bulimia nervosa entry).
• Lifestyle. Alcohol consumption and tobacco use are thought to increase risk for osteoporosis. Lack of exercise may have the same effect.
• Diet. Two important nutrients needed for bone formation are protein and calcium. A diet low in either of these nutrients may lead to osteoporosis.