Gender, race and a family history of osteoporosis appear to be the major risk factors in the development of the disease. Women are about four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men because of their smaller, lighter bones. Caucasian women have a fracture rate that is about two to three times greater than African-American or Hispanic women. It seems that excess fat may store estrogen, which protects bone from losing its density. Plus, the bones of overweight women typically grow stronger and denser to support excess weight.
Osteoporosis can begin as early as adolescence.
It seems that when the body doesn't get enough calcium from food, it starts to deplete calcium from bone. Young women in their teens can actually cut their risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures in half by being sure their diet includes adequate levels of calcium. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that adult women get 1,000 mg a day. For postmenopausal women who aren't taking estrogen, the recommendation is 1,500 mg. Sadly, the answer is no.