Older white and asian women are especially vulnerable to this bone-thinning disease which strikes one in four American women over 60. There are several contributing factors that contribute to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is usually due to the slowing of the osteoblast's activity in the bone and consequently the rate of new bone formation is reduced. This results in brittle bones, which are more susceptible to fracture. Osteoporosis can also cause a hump in the upper back, often referred to as a dowager's hump.
Osteoporosis afflicts more people than any other bone disease .