Osteoporosis is a condition involving loss of bone which can occur as women (and men) get older. Bones get weaker as the amount of bone decreases. We sometimes refer to the amount of bone as bone mass.

Osteoporosis can result in fractures (broken bones) because bones break more easily when they are weaker. Broken bones in older people can cause them to be unable to care for themselves. The complications of a broken bone can sometimes be life threatening. osteoporosis can also result in loss of height and bent posture.

Osteoporosis is a national health concern. It affects more than 28 million people and causes an estimated 1.5 million fractures each year at a cost of $14 billion.

There are a number of risk factors associated with osteoporosis. They include chronically low calcium intake, lack of physical activity, thin build and a family history of osteoporosis. Other risk factors include smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, high intake of caffeine and use of some medications.

Diet and exercise play a significant role in the prevention of osteoporosis. Children and young adults can strengthen their bones by consuming a diet with the necessary calcium and Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.

Weight-bearing exercise as is important because exercising against gravity can help increase or maintain bone mass. When doing exercise that strengthens the muscles, there is an improvement in balance that reduces the likelihood of falling. People who fall are at greater risk of breaking bones.

Each person has a maximum bone mass she or he can obtain. One defense against osteoporosis is to promote skeletal health during the pre-teen through young adult years so young women (and men) will have an opportunity to achieve their maximum bone mass. This is particularly important today because:

• Most girls over 11 barely consume half of the 1300mg of daily calcium recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. Calcium is the "building block" of bones.
• There is a high incidence of eating disorders. Eating disorders result in inadequate calcium intake and can cause hormone imbalance that negatively affects bone development.
• Many children are inactive. They don't exercise. Weight-bearing exercise builds strong bones.

Bone builders was presented to the Orange County (California) Girl Scout Concil to make approximately 20,000 young women ages 5-17 years aware of osteoporosis.