Yet few Nebraskans recognize their personal risk, and even fewer do the physical activities that can help them stay strong and prevent broken bones. The good news is that although some bone loss with aging is inevitable, you can slow down or stop osteoporosis through weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercises improve bone strength and density by working the bones and muscles against gravity. Examples include walking, climbing stairs, playing tennis, doing impact aerobics, jogging, dancing, or doing vigorous yard work. The Nebraska Health and Human Services System is joining the National Osteoporosis Foundation and hundreds of other healthcare providers around the country to launch Step On It America , a national bone health campaign that promotes physical activity as a preventive measure.
Bones break when they become thin and weak.
One frequent outcome of osteoporosis is hip fracture, which each year causes nearly as many deaths in the U.S. as all auto fatalities.