What key factor increases the risk of developing osteoporosis?

What key factor increases the risk of developing osteoporosis?

• A. Regular exercise
• B. High calcium intake
• C. Advanced age
• D. Low body weight

Answer: (C)

Advanced age is a key factor that increases the risk of developing osteoporosis because the natural aging process significantly affects bone density and overall bone health. As individuals age, particularly after reaching middle age, bone remodeling becomes less efficient. This means that bone resorption (the process by which bone is broken down) occurs at a faster rate than bone formation, leading to a gradual decrease in bone density. Additionally, hormonal changes associated with aging, especially in women during menopause, contribute to increased bone loss due to a decline in estrogen levels, a hormone critical for maintaining bone strength. Older adults may also experience other factors that contribute to osteoporosis, such as reduced physical activity levels, dietary changes, and chronic health conditions, all of which can exacerbate the natural decline in bone mass. In contrast, factors such as regular exercise and high calcium intake are protective against osteoporosis, while low body weight can also be a risk factor, but advanced age stands out as a primary contributor due to the biological and physiological changes that occur as people grow older.

Advanced age is a key factor that increases the risk of developing osteoporosis because the natural aging process significantly affects bone density and overall bone health. As individuals age, particularly after reaching middle age, bone remodeling becomes less efficient. This means that bone resorption (the process by which bone is broken down) occurs at a faster rate than bone formation, leading to a gradual decrease in bone density.

Additionally, hormonal changes associated with aging, especially in women during menopause, contribute to increased bone loss due to a decline in estrogen levels, a hormone critical for maintaining bone strength. Older adults may also experience other factors that contribute to osteoporosis, such as reduced physical activity levels, dietary changes, and chronic health conditions, all of which can exacerbate the natural decline in bone mass.

In contrast, factors such as regular exercise and high calcium intake are protective against osteoporosis, while low body weight can also be a risk factor, but advanced age stands out as a primary contributor due to the biological and physiological changes that occur as people grow older.