The Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association yesterday urged middle-aged people to be aware of the “three lows” — low bone mass, low joint repairing ability and low muscle strength.
On the eve of World Osteoporosis Day, the association and a milk powder brand held a brisk walking event in Taipei to raise public awareness about keeping bones and muscles healthy.
Association director Wu Chih-hsing (吳至行) said that while the “three highs” — high blood pressure, high blood lipids and high blood sugar — have often been mentioned as health indicators that middle-aged or senior adults should beware of, the “three lows” are also important.
He cited the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (2005 to 2008) as saying that 10.7 percent of men and 12.1 percent of women over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis, while 53 percent of men and 41.4 percent of women over 50 years old were found to have low bone mass.
Moreover, degenerative joint disease often occurs after the age of 45, and a study has shown that people typically lose 8 percent or more of their muscle mass each decade over the age of 40, Wu said, adding that studies have also shown that people with low bone mass and sarcopenia (muscle loss with aging) have two to four times the risk of bone fractures.
“If middle aged adults do not improve their diet and exercise habits, the three lows can be a problem that might affect their self mobility and movements,” he said.
Wu said low bone mass and low joint repairing ability can be improved by taking in more calcium and vitamin D, and low muscle strength can be improved by forming regular exercise habits.
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