The report was issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation-IOF to mark World Osteoporosis Day 2005 on October 20.

Osteoporosis, in which the bones become fragile and break easily, is one of the world's most devastating and common chronic diseases. It strikes one in three women over 50 worldwide (more than breast cancer) and one in five men (more than prostate cancer).

Some highlights of the "Move it or Lose it" report include:

• Because bone is living tissue, which renews itself continuously, it requires regular stimulation from physical activity. Like muscles, bones should be used regularly or they will deteriorate.

• In girls, the bone tissue accumulated during the ages of 11-13 approximately equals the amount lost during the 30 years following menopause.

• One study in Finland shows that the most physically active young girls gain about 40% more bone mass than the least active girls of the same age. Similar, but less dramatic, results were recorded for boys in a United States survey.

• Exercising your back during middle-age can help prevent your vertebrae from weakening or fracturing when you get older.

• Exercise also helps balance and prevents falls – this is important because every year, some two out of five people over 65 will fall at least once. Falls are a leading cause of fracture.

• Women who sit for more than nine hours a day are more likely to have a hip fracture.

• Following fracture, exercise can help to prevent further fractures, relieve pain and help maintain quality of life.

• Weight bearing and high impact exercise (dancing, walking, jogging, sports, strength training) is required to stimulate bone formation.

Source

Exercise Vital to Build Strong Bones, Media Release from International Osteoporosis Foundation October 20, 2005

Useful Resources

Bone Health for Life (www.bonehealthforlife.org.au)

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Australia, 2005

Why Me? Osteoporosis - DVD/Video

Content updated November 09, 2005