Intervention in lifestyle factors for the prevention of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures

Abstract

According that osteoporosis is the common condition in an aging society such as in Japan, much progress has been made in understanding the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Among potential risk factors, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been recognised as important lifestyle factors that might influence the risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. To assess the relationship between these lifestyle factors and the risk for low bone mass and osteoporosis-related fractures, a systematic literature search over past 13 years was conducted. Accumulating evidence indicates that exercises decrease the risk for hip fractures among middle aged and older men and women. Exercises also help to maintain muscle strength, muscle volume, balance, and joint flexibility, which might prevent falls and fall-related fractures. One randomised controlled trial indicates that high-impact and/or weight-bearing exercise might increase the bone density in the elderly and the peak bone mass among young women. The literature search also address that there is an association between cigarette smoking and the risk of osteoporosis. Smoking cessation is effective to decrease the risk for both osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Future research should be required to evaluate the alcohol consumption and osteoporosis.