There are other identifiable risk factors, but these are factors that you may be able to control and even change. Younger women who are vulnerable are those who have eating disorders, weight loss, and are involved in excessive exercise programs. Examples of those at risk here might be Olympic hopeful gymnasts, figure skaters, and runners - all young women who feel they need to be thin to compete. It is a preventable and treatable disease. Most typical are fractures of the hip and wrist and collapse or crush fractures of the spine.
Spinal fractures cause stooped posture, loss of height, and chronic back pain.
Hip fractures, the most serious consequence of osteoporosis, may threaten a person's independence and even life. We can look at the figures. One out of every two white women and one in eight white men older than 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetimes. Half of the people suffering from hip fractures will never walk independently again. While it is frightening to assimilate these statistics, it may ease your mind to know that you can do something about it.