The purpose of this second-hand investigation was to investigate and determine the modifiable risk factors of osteoporosis and to critically analyse and identify its debilitating consequences as a result of the development of this disease in addition to its possible prevention (which relates to the modifiable risk factors).
Osteoporosis can be defined as a condition of porous bones (Tortora and Grabowski, 1999), in which increased porosity results in alterations in bone strength (The American Journal of Nursing, 2006) and reduced bone mass (bone mineral density, BMD). As a result of this, there is a substantially increased risk of bone fractures (Robbins and Cotran, 2005) which are the main debilitating consequence of this disease. If fracturing does occur, subsequent physical and psychological ramifications has an increased potential of occurence. These include shrinkage of the vertebrae, height loss, hunches, limited mobility and subsequent loss of independence, development of anxiety and/ or depression and weight gain (which can lead to increased risk of developing heart disease or type II diabetes). Osteoporosis affects everyone, with its prevalence increasing as the population ages (Cosman et al, 2014).
There are many risk factors that individuals can modify in their lifestyle in order to prevent the development of this disease. These include;
- Calcium is a major risk factor to the development of osteoporosis, where if individuals are not meeting the recommended daily intake, they are at an increased risk of the development of this disease. According to Healthy Bones Australia, the recommended daily intake is 1000mg/day for adults, increasing to 1300mg/day for females over 50 years old and males over 70 years old.
- Vitamin D insufficiency causes muscle weakness and therefore BMD loss as the mechanism of muscles are not being utilised to stimulate osteoblast function. Vitamin D is also essential to absorb calcium.
- Lack of weight-bearing or weight-training exercise results in little muscle mechanism stimulation. Therefore, by regularly participating in this type of exercise, individuals reduce their rate of bone loss.
Additionally, excessive smoking, weight and alcohol consumption also increase an individual’s rate of bone loss and therefore susceptibility to osteoporosis.
However, there are many factors individuals are unable to modify in order to further reduce their risk of osteoporosis, consequently increasing their susceptibility. These include a family medical history of poor bone health, certain diseases (even if they are manageable or treatable), the use of certain medication such as steroids, females and natural changes to hormone levels that occur with age (eg; menopause) or due to certain endocrine conditions.
My hypothesis stated that the modifiable risk factors investigated will include lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise whereas other risk factors investigated will include gender, which are unable to be modified.’. It also stated that by ‘identifying modifiable risk factors, individuals with osteoporosis will be able to reduce the identified debilitating consequences of osteoporosis, such as fracturing, and if there is early intervention, detection or alteration of modifiable risk factors determined, individuals can reduce their risk of diagnosis.’. Therefore, my hypothesis was supported by the research undertaken and the data collected to some extent, however, my hypothesis did not account for other risk factors such as vitamin D levels, weight, smoking, alcohol intake, family medical history, certain diseases and medications and hormone levels, and the psychological and physical impacts the the debilitating consequence of fractures has, that were identified and determined throughout the process of my investigation.
