Who's at risk?

• advanced age
• early menopause (before age 45), whether natural or due to surgical removal of the ovaries
• low levels of sex hormone (estrogen in women, testosterone in men)
• Caucasian race or Asian ethnicity
• a thin, small body
• family history of osteoporosis, osteoporosis fractures, and/or stooped posture
• a diet low in calcium and vitamin D intake
• an inactive lifestyle
• excessive use of alcohol
• cigarette smoking
• abnormal absence of menstruation, such as when regular strenuous exercise stops menstrual periods
• certain medications, such as long-term anti-inflammatory steroids for diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, which can thin bones
• having certain medical conditions, such as Crohn's disease, which can decrease the amount of calcium absorbed into bone.