Gender -Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly than men because of the changes involved in menopause.
Age -The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become less dense and weaker as you age.
Body size -Small, thin-boned women are at greater risk.
Ethnicity -Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk. African-American and Hispanic women have a lower but significant risk.
Family history -Susceptibility to fracture may be, in part, hereditary. People whose parents have a history of fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and may be at risk for fractures.
Risk factors you can change
Sex hormones: abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), low estrogen level (menopause), and low testosterone level in men.
Anorexia.
A lifetime diet low in calcium and vitamin D .
Use of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids or some anticonvulsants.
