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Your bone health may be at risk. By 2020 half of all Americans over 50 will have weak bones unless we make changes to our diet and lifestyle. People who have weak bones are at higher risk for fractures. Americans are living longer, and this means that our bones need to stay strong so we can be active and enjoy life. Strong bones begin in childhood. With good habits and medical attention when needed, we can have strong bones throughout our lives.
Thirty years ago, little was known about bone disease. Even many doctors believed that weak and broken bones were just a part of old age and could not be avoided. Today we know that this is not true.
The Surgeon General wants you to know that you can improve your bone health by getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and physical activity. If you have osteoporosis or another bone disease, your doctor can detect and treat it. This can help prevent painful fractures. If you break a bone after the age of 50, this could be the first sign of weak bones.
Broken bones are very painful at any age. Each year 1.5 million older people in this country suffer fractures because their bones have become weak. For older people, weak bones can be deadly.
If you are elderly, a broken hip makes you up to four times more likely to die within three months. If you survive, the injury often causes your health to spiral downward. One in five people with a hip fracture ends up in a nursing home within a year. Many others become isolated, depressed, or frightened to leave home because they fear they will fall.
The cost of weak bones to Americans, their families, and our country is huge. The medical expense for treating broken bones from osteoporosis is as high as $18 billion each year. The cost of care for these patients and the work that is lost adds billions more.
Caring for bone fractures from osteoporosis costs America $18 billion each year.
$18 billion is a stack of dollar bills 1,119 miles high, or farther than the distance from New York to St. Louis, Missouri.
Poor bone health is common and costly.
Strong bones support us and allow us to move. They protect our heart, lungs, and brain from injury. Our bones are also a storehouse for vital minerals we need to live. Weak bones break easily, causing terrible pain. You might lose your ability to stand or walk. And as bones weaken, you might lose height.
Osteoporosis causes weak bones.
|Bone with Osteoporosis|
Silently and without warning, bones may begin to weaken early in life if you do not have a healthy diet and the right kinds of physical activity. Many people already have weak bones and don’t know it. Others are making choices that will weaken their bones later.
There are several kinds of bone disease. The most common is osteoporosis. In this disease, bones lose minerals like calcium. They become fragile and break easily. With osteoporosis, your body’s frame becomes like the frame of a house damaged by termites. Termites weaken your house like osteoporosis weakens your bones. If you have severe fractures from osteoporosis, you risk never walking again. Weak bones can break easily. This can be fatal.
Fragile bones are not painful at first. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they have weakened bones until one breaks. By that time, it is hard to make your bones strong again.
The good news is that you are never too old or too young to improve your bone health. There are many things you can do to keep bones strong and prevent fractures. At all ages, a diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, together with weight-bearing physical activity every day, can prevent problems later. You can work with your doctor to check out warning signs or risk factors. When you are older, you can have your bones tested and take medicine to strengthen them.
Weak bones cause the spine to collapse.
The bad news is that few people follow the steps known to strengthen and protect their bones. That’s the main reason for the Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis. Americans need to know the dangers of bone weakness and do more to prevent it.
Many things weaken bones. Some are outside your control. If you have a family member who has bone problems, you could also be at risk. Some medical conditions can also make you prone to bone disease.
There are some things you can control:
Many types of physical activity can contribute to bone health, but most people are not active enough.
After your mid-30s, you begin to slowly lose bone mass. Women lose bone mass faster after menopause, but it happens to men too.
When you think of bones, you might imagine a hard, brittle skeleton. In reality, your bones are living organs. They are alive with cells and flowing body fluids. Bones are constantly renewed and grow stronger with a good diet and physical activity.
The amount of calcium that makes up your bones is the measure of how strong they are. But your muscles and nerves must also have calcium and phosphorus to work. If these are in short supply from foods you eat, your body simply takes them from your bones.
Each day calcium is deposited and withdrawn from your bones. If you don’t get enough calcium, you could be withdrawing more than you’re depositing. That’s why children and teens need to build their bones early so they have a “savings account” of calcium for later. Our bodies build up calcium in our bones efficiently until we are about 30 years old. Then our bodies stop adding new bone. But healthy habits can help us keep the bone we have.
There is some natural bone loss as women and men age. As we grow older, bones can break or weaken if we don’t take steps to keep them strong. The most common breaks in weak bones are in the wrist, spine, and hip.
Broken bones in your spine are painful and very slow to heal. People with weak bones in their spine gradually lose height and their posture becomes hunched over. Over time a bent spine can make it hard to walk or even sit up.
Broken hips are a very serious problem as we age. They greatly increase the risk of death, especially during the year after they break.
People who break a hip might not recover for months or even years. Because they often cannot care for themselves, they are more likely to have to live in a nursing home.
Hip fractures are by far the most devastating type of broken bone. The account for about 300,000 hospitalizations every year.
Too many of us assume we are not at risk for bone loss or fractures. We believe that if we haven’t had any signs of bone damage, then our bones are strong. Because there are no obvious warning signs, even doctors often miss signs of the problem. Most of us have our blood pressure and cholesterol checked for heart health. Testing bone density is the surest way to check for bone health.
The risk of osteoporosis is highest among women. It is also higher for Whites and Asians than other groups. However, it’s important to remember that it is a real risk for older men and women of all backgrounds.
That’s why it is important to know the risks for poor bone health at all ages. There are many “red flags” that are signs that you are at risk for weak bones. (See checklist.) In addition, your calcium and vitamin D intake, level of physical activity, and medications should all be evaluated.
Here are some clues that you are at risk:
When you jump, run, or lift a weight, it puts stress on your bones. This sends a signal to your body that your bones need to be made stronger. New cells are added to strengthen your bones. If you are right-handed, the bones in your right arm are slightly larger and stronger from the extra use.
To keep your bones strong, eat foods rich in calcium. Some people have trouble digesting the lactose found in milk and other dairy foods, including cheese and yogurt. Most supermarkets sell lactosereduced dairy foods. Many nondairy foods are also calcium-rich.
Food labels, like this skim milk label, tell you how much calcium and vitamin D you get per serving.
|If this is your age,
||then you need this much calcium each day (mg).|
|(A cup of milk or fortified orange juice has about 300 mg of calcium.)|
|0 to 6 months||200|
|6 to 12 months||260|
|1 to 3 years||700|
|4 to 8 years||1,000|
|9 to 18 years||1,300|
|19 to 50 years||1,000|
|51- to 70-year-old males||1,000|
|51- to 70-year-old females||1,200|
|>70 years old||1,200|
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. As you grow older, your need for vitamin D goes up. Vitamin D is made by your skin when you are in the sun. For many, especially seniors, getting enough vitamin D from sunshine is not practical. Almost all milk and some other foods are fortified with vitamin D. If you are not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet, supplements can be bone savers.
babies/toddlers (ages 0-3) need 2-7 points
children (ages 4-8) need 10 points
teens need 13 points
adults under 50 need 10 points
adults over 50 need 10 -12 points
adults over 70 need 12 points
|Fortified oatmeal, 1 packet||350||3|
|Sardines, canned in oil, with edible bones, 3 oz.||324||3|
|Cheddar cheese, 1 1/2 oz. shredded||306||3|
|Milk, nonfat, 1 cup||302||3|
|Milkshake, 1 cup||300||3|
|Yogurt, plain, low-fat, 1 cup||300||3|
|Soybeans, cooked, 1 cup||261||3|
|Tofu, firm, with calcium, 1/2 cup||204||2|
|Orange juice, fortified with calcium, 6 oz.||200-260 (varies)||2-3|
|Salmon, canned, with edible bones, 3 oz.||181||2|
|Pudding, instant (chocolate, banana, etc.) made with 2% milk, 1/2 cup||153||2|
|Baked beans, 1 cup||142||1|
|Cottage cheese, 1% milk fat, 1 cup||138||1|
|Spaghetti, lasagna, 1 cup||125||1|
|Frozen yogurt, vanilla, soft-serve, 1/2 cup||103||1|
|Ready-to-eat cereal, fortified with calcium, 1 cup||100-1000 (varies)||1-10|
|Cheese pizza, 1 slice||100||1|
|Fortified waffles, 2||100||1|
|Turnip greens, boiled, 1/2||99||1|
|Broccoli, raw, 1 cup||90||1|
|Ice cream, vanilla, 1/2 cup||85||1|
|Soy or rice milk, fortified with calcium, 1 cup||80-500 (varies)||1-5|
Lack of calcium has been singled out as a major public health concern because it is critically important to bone health. the average American consumes far less than the amount recommended.
People of all ages need to know what they can do to have strong bones. You are never too old or too young to improve your bone health.
Bone growth starts before babies are born. Premature and low-birth-weight infants often need extra calcium, phosphorus, and protein to help them catch up on the nutrients they need for strong bones. Breastfed babies get the calcium and nutrients they need for good bone health from their mothers. That’s why mothers who breastfeed need extra vitamin D. Most baby formula contains calcium and vitamin D.
Good bone health starts early in life with good habits. While children and young adults rarely get bone diseases, kids can develop habits that endanger their health and bones. Parents can help by encouraging kids to eat healthful food and get at least an hour of physical activity every day. Jumping rope, running, and sports are fun activities that are great for building strong bones. Children need the amount of calcium equal to 3 servings of low-fat milk each day. If your child doesn’t drink enough milk, try low-fat cheese, yogurt, or other foods that are high in calcium.
Children should get at least an hour of physical activity every day. Adults should get at least 30 minutes every day.
Teens are especially at risk for not developing strong bones because their bones are growing so rapidly. Boys and girls from ages 9 to 18 need 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day, more than any other age group. Parents can help teens by making sure they eat 4 servings of calcium-rich and vitamin-D-fortified foods a day. At least one hour a day of physical activities—like running, skateboarding, sports, and dance—is also critical. Studies show that only half of all teens exercise vigorously on a regular basis, and one-fourth do not exercise at all. But take note: extreme physical exercise, when combined with under-eating, can weaken teens’ bones. In young women this situation can lead to a damaging lack of menstrual periods. Teens who miss adding bone to their skeletons during these critical years never make it up.
Adulthood is a time when we need to look carefully at our bone health. As adults, we need 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium, depending on our age, and at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Activity that puts some stress on your bones is very important.
Adults: keep your bones strong with physical activity.
|Physical activity at least 30 minutes every day||Strength training 2-3 times a week||Balance training once a week|
Many women over 50 are at risk for bone disease, but few know it. At menopause, which usually happens in women over 50, a woman’s hormone production drops sharply. Because hormones help protect bones, menopause can lead to bone loss. Hormone therapy was widely used to prevent this loss, but now it is known to increase other risks. Your doctor can help advise you on protecting bone health around menopause.
Seniors can take steps to help prevent bone problems. Physical activity and diet are vital to bone health in older adults. Calcium, together with vitamin D, helps reduce bone loss. Activities that put stress on bones keep them strong. Find time for activities like walking, dancing, and gardening. Strengthening your body helps prevent falls. Protecting yourself against falls is key to avoiding a broken hip or wrist. All women over 65 should have a bone density test.
Seniors should also know that recent studies conclude that anyone over age 50 should increase his or her vitamin D intake to 600 International Units (IU) per day. After age 70, 800 IU per day are needed.
Osteoporosis is a serious risk for any aging man or woman. Ten million people in the United States over the age of 50 have osteoporosis of the hip. About 4 in 10 women over 50 and 1 in 10 men will break a hip, spine, or wrist.
You can prevent most falls.
Falls are not just the result of getting older. But as you age, falls become more dangerous. Most falls can be prevented. By changing some of the things listed here, you can lower the chances of falling for you or someone you love.
It’s never too late or too early to improve your bone health. The average American eats too little calcium. And nearly half of us do not get enough physical activity to strengthen our bones.
The same healthy lifestyle that strengthens your bones strengthens your whole body. You might not hear as much about bone health as other health concerns. But healthy habits are good for all your organs, including your bones.
Even people who know better don’t always do what’s good for their bones. Make yourself an exception. Be aware of your risks and work to reduce them. Get help from your family and friends and your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional. Building healthy bones begins at birth and lasts your whole life.
A simple and enjoyable way to improve your balance is to take a class in dancing. Consider ballroom, western, salsa, or modern dance. Classes are offered by many community groups and adult education facilities.
Talk to your doctor about bone health. Together you can evaluate your risks. Some things to discuss include your current health, your diet and physical activity levels, and your family background.
Your doctor can look at your age, weight, height, and medical history. From that he or she can determine if you need a bone density test. Broken bones are a “red flag” for your doctor. If you break a bone after the age of 50, talk to your doctor about measuring your bone density. Even if you broke a bone in an accident, you might have weak bones. It is worth checking.
Your doctor might recommend a medical test called a bone mineral density test. Bone density tests use x-rays or sound waves to measure how strong your bones are. These tests are quick (5 to 10 minutes), safe, and painless. They will give you and your doctor an idea of how healthy your bones are. All women over 65 should have a bone density test. Women who are younger than 65 and at high risk for fractures should also have a bone density test.
Your doctor might also want to do a blood test to check for a vitamin D deficiency or abnormal calcium levels.
If your doctor finds that your bones are becoming weaker, there are things you can do to make them stronger. You can be more physically active, change your diet, and take calcium and vitamin D supplements. If your bones are already weak, there are medicines that stop bone loss. They can even build new bone and make it less likely that you will suffer a broken bone.
A 50-year-old woman breaks her wrist when she trips on a rug. Should she ask for a bone density test even if her doctor doesn’t bring it up? YES!
Your doctor might suggest medications to help you build stronger bones. To reduce the chance that you might fall, have your vision checked. When you speak to your doctor, be prepared with a list of questions and concerns. The list on the next page should help get you started.
While osteoporosis is the most common disease that harms bones, certain other conditions can also be harmful. Your doctor can help you learn if you are at risk and can help you treat these conditions.
Talk with your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional about your bone health. Use this checklist to start your discussion.
____ Ask to check your risk for bone disease.
____ Discuss your need for a bone density test.
____ Talk about any fall, even ones in which you were not hurt. Tell him or her about any broken bones you’ve had.
____ If you have fallen, ask about the need for a full evaluation. Tests include vision, balance, walking, muscle strength,
heart function, and blood pressure.
____ Go over all the medications you are taking (including over-the-counter ones). Do this at least once a year.
This helps avoid dangerous drug interactions and taking higher doses of drugs than you need, which can
lead to falls.
____ Ask if your doctor checks vision. Annual vision checks can help eliminate bone-breaking falls.
____ Know your calcium and vitamin D intake. Report your totals to your doctor.
____ If you would like to try a new physical activity, ask about the best choices for you.
Bone disease is often a “silent” disorder until it causes a fracture.
Check any of these that apply to you.
____ I’m older than 65.
____ I’ve broken a bone after age 50.
____ My close relative has osteoporosis or has broken a bone.
____ My health is “fair” or “poor.”
____ I smoke.
____ I am underweight for my height.
____ I started menopause before age 45.
____ I’ve never gotten enough calcium.
____ I have more than two drinks of alcohol several times a week.
____ I have poor vision, even with glasses.
____ I sometimes fall.
____ I’m not active.
____ I have one of these medical conditions:
____ I take one of these medicines:
If you have any of these “red flags,” you could be at high risk for weak bones. Talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional.
The Surgeon General is the nation’s highest-ranking public health officer. The President of the United States appoints the Surgeon General to help protect and promote the health of all Americans.
The Surgeon General gives Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce their risk of illness and injury. This booklet is about risks to our bones. The Surgeon General says that Americans need to do much more to protect their bone health.
This public document was originally prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the direction of the Office of the Surgeon General to make information in The 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis available in plain language to improve health literacy on this topic. Health literacy is the ability of an individual to access, understand, and use health-related information and services to make appropriate health decisions.
Suggested citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What It Means To You. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2012.
More information about the Surgeon General’s Report is available at:
Most of our bone publications are available online only. Some are available in print. Would you like to order publications on bone disorders to be mailed to you? Visit our online order form.
NIH Publication No. 12–7827