On World Osteoporosis Day, which is observed each year on Oct. 20, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said about one-fifth of elderly people self-reported having been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and urged people to start building up their bone mass at an earlier age.
World Osteoporosis Day is dedicated to raising public awareness of bone health, and the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
“It’s Unacceptable!” is the theme for this year’s campaign, highlighting a preventable crisis in osteoporosis care, the International Osteoporosis Foundation said.
Photo: Ou Su-mei, Taipei Times
Echoing the global campaign, the HPA said a National Health Interview Survey in 2021 showed that 18.2 percent of elderly people in Taiwan reported an osteoporosis diagnosis.
Osteoporosis is called a “silent disease,” because there are typically no symptoms until a bone is fractured, which can be due to a minor fall or even a slight bump, the agency said, adding that bone fractures can also increase the risk of death, as well as creating secondary issues for the person and their family.
The Taiwan Osteoporosis Association last year cited studies conducted abroad showing that more than 20 percent of people who fracture their hip die within one year, a higher death rate than some cancers.
Most people reach peak bone mass at about the age of 30, the HPA said.
Bone density begins to gradually decline after this point, so building strong bones from an earlier age and maintaining them is an effective way to prevent osteoporosis, it said.
HPA Director-General Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬) said people should first learn about their personal risks and take preventive measures as early as possible.
Elderly women, people with low estrogen (such as postmenopausal women), people with a family history of osteoporosis, or those who are long-term users of medications that affect bone health should prioritize learning about risk factors and take action to prevent osteoporosis, she added.
The HPA provided five tips to help people maintain bone mass, including eating a balanced diet, consisting of six categories of food — grains; vegetables; fruits; proteins such as beans, fish, meat and eggs; dairy; and oils such as those from fats, nuts and seeds — and consume sufficient protein, calcium and vitamin D.
It also suggested exercising regularly — at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week.
Weight training and strength training can improve bone density, build muscle strength and improve body coordination and balance, the HPA said.
People should avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as nicotine and alcohol can block nutrient absorption and reduce bone mass; get moderate sun exposure two to three times per week for about 10 to 20 minutes for adults, to help the body produce vitamin D and improve calcium absorption; and maintain a healthy body weight, it added.
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