Men can develop the disease, but do so ten to fifteen years later than women. Bone comes in two types, spongy and cortical or tube-like. The spongy bone of the spine suffers weight loss first. Thus, there is a loss in height. This bone disease can be dangrous.
Bad things can happen to hasten the disease.
Inactivity will leech out the strength of the skeleton. Smokers' bones age faster. Some, but not all investigators, believe that too much phosphorous, as supplied in soft drinks, will counteract the good effects of calcium. Alcohol, especially in men, will increase the risk of osteoporosis two-fold. Now for the good news.