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What's it all about?
- One out of every two American women will
get osteoporosis after age 65.
- Osteoporosis is a disease that causes
bones to become soft and weak.
- With osteoporosis, fractures and breaks
of bones occur during ordinary activities like walking.
- Another name for osteoporosis is brittle
bone disease.
Why worry now-I'm a teenager?
Good question. Here are several reasons why
teens should be concerned about osteoporosis:
- During the teen years, almost one-half
of the adult skeleton is formed.
- Less than half of all teens get enough
calcium every day. For teenage girls, the statistics are even
worse-only 15 percent of them get enough calcium!
- If you build your bones when
you're in your teens, you will be less likely to fracture your bones
when you're older.
What causes my risk for
osteoporosis?
- Not getting enough calcium.
- Females are four times more likely than
males to develop osteoporosis.
- Drinking too many soft drinks-teens who
drink lots of soda often drink less milk.
- Too little physical activity-regular
physical activity that puts weight on your bones, like walking,
running, playing basketball or dancing, helps prevent
osteoporosis.
- Race plays a role-African Americans have
a lower risk because their bones are usually stronger and more dense
than Caucasians and Asians.
- Family history-other people in the
family with osteoporosis.
- Smoking causes bone loss.
What can I do to prevent
osteoporosis?
- Eat lots of calcium-rich foods like
milk, yogurt and cheese; calcium-fortified orange juice and bread;
green leafy vegetables like collards and kale; canned salmon and
sardines or tofu.
- If you don't eat dairy products, it may
be necessary for you to take a calcium supplement to meet your high
calcium needs as a teen. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian
before taking any type of supplement.
- Get some type of weight-bearing physical
activity every day.
- Limit soft drink consumption to one or
less a day.
Did you notice????
We can control many of the
things that cause osteoporosis,
like what we eat, smoking and getting enough physical activity.
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