In order to prevent fractures you must be familiar with the known risk factors. The impact of the various factors varies depending on the age when they occur. Peek bone mass occurs in the 30's and is critical for long-term bone health. Hormonal problems at this time may lead to osteoporosis, where later in life they may have less of an impact. After the age of 75 hormonal influences are often overshadowed by other risks.
Fractures represent submaximal accumulation of bone as a young adult or accelerated bone loss.
During puberty, the growth spurts signal hormonal increases as well as bone remodeling. The growth plates begin to close and within 3 years of menarche, bone mass is nearly complete. Fifty to eighty percent of peek bone mass is genetically determined. Bone loss occurs as a result of an imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. This is a consistent process, where bone resorption is always followed by bone formation.