Bone & joint health Osteoporosis Senior health

9 things to know about osteoporosis and bone health

A broken bone could indicate a much bigger problem. Learn more about bone density and how to keep your bones strong.

Jan, 2026

Having diabetes raises your risk for osteoporosis

Being thin increases your odds for osteoporosis

Not getting enough calcium puts your bones at risk

A lack of vitamin D raises your risk for osteoporosis

A bone density test can detect bone loss

Physical activity protects against osteoporosis

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Throughout your life, you constantly lose old bone and form new bone. As a teenager and young adult, your body makes more bone than it loses. With age, bone production drops off and bone loss increases, putting you at risk for osteoporosis, or porous bone that fractures easily.

Roughly 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 44 million have osteopenia, or low bone mass, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. But osteoporosis and related fractures don't have to be inevitable. Here are nine things to know to lower your risk.

Written byMichael Gollust.

Medically reviewed byMegan Burke, MD.November, 2024

Sources: Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. Osteoporosis Fast Facts. Accessed March 20 + 19

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