Bone density is really important for our overall health, especially when we think about our bones and how they work.
Bone density shows how much mineral stuff is in our bones. It's usually measured by how many grams fit in a piece of bone that's one square centimeter big (g/cm²). Here’s why bone density matters:
When bone density is low, it can lead to more fractures (broken bones). The World Health Organization, or WHO, uses different categories to describe bone health based on bone mineral density (BMD):
If you have osteoporosis, you have a 50% greater chance of breaking your hip.
As bone density goes down, the chances of fractures go up. This can really affect how well someone can move around. Sadly, about 20% of people who break their hip may not survive for over a year. Also, 50% of them might lose a lot of their independence because they can’t do things by themselves anymore.
Low bone density is often connected to other health problems, such as:
As people get older, their bone density tends to decrease. For women after menopause and men over 50, bone density drops by about 0.5% to 1% each year.
This shows how important it is to catch low bone density early and take steps to stay healthy. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D can really help reduce health risks related to bone density.
Bone density is really important for our overall health, especially when we think about our bones and how they work.
Bone density shows how much mineral stuff is in our bones. It's usually measured by how many grams fit in a piece of bone that's one square centimeter big (g/cm²). Here’s why bone density matters:
When bone density is low, it can lead to more fractures (broken bones). The World Health Organization, or WHO, uses different categories to describe bone health based on bone mineral density (BMD):
If you have osteoporosis, you have a 50% greater chance of breaking your hip.
As bone density goes down, the chances of fractures go up. This can really affect how well someone can move around. Sadly, about 20% of people who break their hip may not survive for over a year. Also, 50% of them might lose a lot of their independence because they can’t do things by themselves anymore.
Low bone density is often connected to other health problems, such as:
As people get older, their bone density tends to decrease. For women after menopause and men over 50, bone density drops by about 0.5% to 1% each year.
This shows how important it is to catch low bone density early and take steps to stay healthy. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D can really help reduce health risks related to bone density.