Formation and Acquisition of Bone Mass: A Commitment of the Obstetrician-Gynecologist in an Interdisciplinary Program

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the process of bone mass development and acquisition, starting from gestation until reaching peak bone mass, as well as the presence of certain disorders. Bone mass formation has been studied at various stages of development, from pregnancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, where the greatest increase occurs to achieve peak bone mass. The increase in bone mass begins during the gestation process as a period of high fetal calcium demand and continues from birth through childhood and infancy, experiencing its maximum growth during adolescence until reaching the peak of bone mass in adulthood, around 20-30 years of age. Approximately 70% of bone mass is inherited from parents, while the remaining percentage is acquired through the processes of gestation, development, and growth, where environmental factors, nutrition, exercise, avoidance of toxic substances, and maintaining overall health contribute to achieving the highest concentration of bone mass. This becomes a reserve to respond to bone loss that typically starts around the age of 40, with the greatest loss during the transition to menopause and later, at a slower rate, during old age.