New research presented by Karen Knapp from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London, looked at the influences of genetics and the environment on bone quality in a group of 266 identical and non-identical twins, using ultrasound measurements at multiple sites.
Osteoporosis is a disease which causes bones to become so fragile that they break easily.
In the UK it currently affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men during their lifetime. However osteoporosis can be largely prevented and successfully treated to reduce further bone loss and the risk of fractures. The NOS Seventh Bath Conference on Osteoporosis is the UK's leading conference on bone and a key international event, featuring over 500 delegates from 25 countries worldwide.