Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. Although any bone can be affected, the most common fractures occur in the wrist, hips, and spine. In serious cases, bones can deteriorate to the point where even a sneeze can cause damage.
The good news is that certain lifestyle changes can help lower your risk of developing the disease. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, as well as a regular fitness regimen consisting of weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, can maintain strong and healthy bones. Here, a look at osteoporosis by the numbers:
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10 million: Number of Americans who are estimated to have osteoporosis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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34 million: Number of Americans who are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis, according to the NIH.
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80: Percentage of individuals affected by osteoporosis who are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
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20: Percentage of bone mass that women can lose in the five to seven years after menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis.
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4: Number of times more likely a woman is to develop osteoporosis than a man, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
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50: Percentage of women who will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
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1.5 million: Approximate number of fractures that osteoporosis is responsible for each year, according to the NIH.
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$17 billion: Total annual cost of osteoporosis-related treatments, according to the NIH.
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1,000. Recommended amount of calcium, in milligrams, the Office of Dietary Supplements recommends for women between the ages of 19 and 50, to help maintain strong teeth and bones.
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200. Recommended amount of calcium, in International Units (IU), the Office of Dietary Supplements recommends for women between the ages of 19 and 50, to help with the body's absorption of calcium.
