Peak bone mass, the maximum bone density you will ever have, is reached between 16 and 25 years of age.

Did you know that the rates of osteoporotic fracture in men are close to the rates of prostate cancer, both affect approximately 1 in 5 men in the United States.

During peak bone-building years, teens aged 9 to 18, typically need four to five servings of calcium-rich foods daily.

Resistance exercises are beneficial to your bones. Using free weights or machines 2 days per week can help strengthen your bones. Consult with a physical therapist that is knowledgeable about osteoporosis to develop an exercise program for you.

One out of every two Caucasian and Asian women and one in four Caucasian men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime

In youth, the skeleton grows and bones become larger, denser, and stronger especially when you practice bone healthy actions.

Eating five or more fresh fruits and vegetables a day is important for your overall health and promotes healthy bones, too!

It is important to get regular vision and hearing examinations. Making sure that your vision and hearing is at it's best, can help reduce your risk for fall-related fractures. When prescribed, it is important to wear corrective lenses and/or hearing devices.

Exercises that are not weight bearing may be beneficial for your overall health but will not improve your bone density. Some examples of exercises that are not weight bearing are swimming, water aerobics, and bicycle riding. If you do these, consider adding some weight-bearing exercises to your routine, such as walking, dancing, or climbing stairs.

Even though bone loss at menopause and with advancing age is inevitable, rates of loss can be slowed by preventive measures.

NYSOPEP can provide you with the most current, accurate information about osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Simply print it from the NYSOPEP website or contact a NYSOPEP regional center.

Osteoporosis is commonly misunderstood as a disease that only affects elderly Caucasian women. On the contrary, osteoporosis can happen to anyone. The disease has no age, gender or ethnic boundaries.

Did you know that during childhood, the teen years and early adulthood you have a window of opportunity to build strong bones? Getting the right amount of calcium, exercising daily, and avoiding cigarettes and tobacco products are ways to help you build strong bones to last a lifetime.

If your bone density test indicates that you have osteoporosis, discuss the benefits and risks of each osteoporosis medication with your doctor to find out which medication is right for you.

If you are age 50 or older, you need 1200mg of calcium per day. Eating a well-balanced diet including 3 or more calcium-rich foods each day can help you get enough calcium.

Did you know that falling is the most common cause for broken bones in people with osteoporosis? Falls can be avoided. The first step towards fall prevention is to evaluate your home for safety hazards and make the changes necessary to reduce your risk for falling.

Exercises can be done to improve your posture. Consult with a physical therapist that is knowledgeable about osteoporosis to develop an exercise program for you.

The central DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) measurement of the hip is the single best way to determine bone density because it predicts the risk for fracture better than any other single measurement. It also predicts the risk for all other fractures as well as any other single measurement.

Men can get osteoporosis too! In fact, over 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and another 3 million are at risk for this disease.

Did you know that approximately 300,000 African-American women in the U.S. currently have osteoporosis?

Bone healthy actions should begin in childhood and continue throughout your lifetime.

If you have osteoporosis, there are osteoporosis medications that can help reduce your risk for broken bones.

99% of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones and teeth. You body needs calcium for many important functions. If you do not get enough calcium in your diet, your body will rob it from your bones! Make sure you are getting enough calcium!

If you have osteoporosis, coughing or sneezing in a flexed (curled) position can put stress on the bones in your spine and may even cause a broken bone. When you feel you may cough or sneeze, try to brace yourself in an upright position, without bending forward.

There are many causes of poor balance including weak leg muscles, inner ear problems, heart and blood pressure problems, other chronic diseases, and the use of more than 4 medications. If you are having balance problems or fall frequently, talk to your medical professional.

To protect your spine: sit, stand, walk and carry out all of your activities using proper posture. Looking from the side, proper posture is when the ear is over the shoulder, which is over the hip, which is over the knee and ankle.

A simple, painless test called central DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) is the preferred method for determining bone mineral density.

Men can get osteoporosis too! To assess your personal risk for osteoporosis, use the NYSOPEP risk assessment for men.

A women's risk for hip fracture is equal to her combined lifetime risk of getting ovarian, breast and uterine cancer. Find out what you can do to reduce your risk for an osteoporotic fracture.

Approximately 1 in 8 hip fractures in women is due to long-term cigarette use. Tobacco use is also a major risk factor for hip fracture in men. Fracture healing among smokers is delayed, too! The New York State Smoker's Quitline,
1-866-NYQUITS
(1-866-697-8487),
is a free service that provides New Yorkers with help when they are ready to stop smoking.
The New York State Smoker's Quitsite
also has helpful information.