Osteoporosis: A Case Study

Osteoporosis is a major cause for concern for many older aged women and is gaining prevalence as our population ages (Ong, Sahota, Tan & Marshall, 2014). Identifiable by a lower than healthy bone mass and bone tissue deterioration (Ong et al., 2014; Mehler, Cleary & Gaudiani, 2011), osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of fracture in those with the disease, which in turn leads to pain, fragile bones, high medical bills, a loss of independence, and potentially, a shortened life span (Aungst & Rainer, 2014). Thus, reducing the risk factors associated with osteoporosis is an important field of research. This being said, numerous studies are being conducted into the causes of osteoporosis and possible methods of prevention. Three promising areas of research
Typically, a healthy BMI is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9 (kg/m2), underweight people have a BMI under 18.5 (kg/m2), an overweight BMI is between 25 and 29.9 (kg/m2), and obesity is above 30 (kg/m2) (Johansson et al., 2014; Ong et al., 2014). Extensive research is being conducted to determine the effect that a high or low BMI has in regard to risk of fracture. Several studies are in agreement that both a low BMI and a high BMI are detrimental to bone health in women (Compston et al., 2014; Johansson et al., 2014; Ong et al., 2014). In regards to a high BMI in women, specifically within the range of obesity, increased osteoporotic fracture of the ankle, leg, and arm are seen more frequently (Compston et al., 2014; Johansson et al., 2014; Ong et al., 2014). In addition, risk of hip fracture, which is common in women with osteoporosis and a normal BMI, is seen to be of a lower risk to women with a BMI above the normal range (Compston et al., 2014). This being said, women with a low BMI are at a much higher risk of nearly all osteoporotic fracture than are women with a high BMI (Compston et al., 2014, Johansson et al., 2014; Korpelainen, Korpelainen, Heikkinen, Väänänen, &