That s why it s especially important to know the risk factors and get tested early. More than 28 million Americans have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or are at significant risk for the disease. In Pennsylvania alone, osteoporosis affects more than half a million people. One in two women, and one in eight men older than age 50 suffer from the disease in Pennsylvania. Women also should talk to their doctor about estrogen therapy if they have passed, or are going through, menopause.
Good nutrition plays a major role in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Many surveys show that calcium is one of the nutrients most likely to be inadequate in most people s diets. In older children, an even larger gap exists between calcium intake and current calcium recommendations. Lower calcium intake during the important bone-building years of adolescence contributes to low bone density later in life. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Dairy Council were on hand to create the famous milk mustaches. The Department of Health also displayed examples of calcium-rich foods and handed out calcium supplements.