The definition of osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass that jeopardizes the strength of the bone making it easier to fracture or break. Osteoporosis actually may start in childhood. The amount of bone that each individual develops depends not only on the genetics of the family but on diet and exercise. Diet includes healthy food but especially foods rich in calcium such as milk products.
Most parents see that their children drink milk as they grow up.
However, teenagers often cut out milk products because of calories. This is a critical time since bone growth is still on going. Regular exercise such as being involved in sports, riding bicycles. If calcium rich foods are decreased, not consumed or not available that person may not reach his or her peak bone mass. For a young woman this means going into the reproductive years with a lower bone mass.