Osteopenia Risk Factors 

What causes Osteopenia?

Does Age have anything to do with Osteopenia?

As we age, bone density declines naturally. When we’re young, during adolescence, especially during the growth spurts of puberty, bones rebuild faster. Bone growth, however, decreases over time. Age is a common risk factor for Osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Can Menopause cause Osteopenia?

In a similar way, women are more likely to develop osteopenia as they age. Throughout a woman’s reproductive years the ovaries produce estrogen, but during menopause the production of estrogen declines, and this can cause bone loss.

What about Family History and Osteopenia?

Just like osteoporosis, osteopenia may be connected to family history or genetics. So the risk of developing osteopenia increases when there is a family history of osteopenia.

There’s research that claims there may be genetic differences that can cause people to lose bone mass at different rates than others.

What causes Osteopenia, and is there a way to prevent it?

 

Can we prevent Osteopenia, or help ourselves if we do develop it? 

Does Lack of Strength Training or Exercise cause Osteopenia?

Research shows that people who exercise, in particular strength training, tend to have greater bone mass than those who don’t.

But as we age, we begin to lose bone mass naturally. If a person has compromised bone density, it could cause this decline to happen faster. Strength Training can improve bone strength and increase your balance and flexibility, that may help protect your bones from fractures. Research also suggest that resistance training is especially helpful for those with osteopenia.

Other Risk Factors

There are several other lifestyle factors that may increase the risk for osteopenia, such as eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Excessive smoking, alcohol consumption and stress may also increase the risk. There are also some medications that may compromise bone density.

What can you do to help yourself?

As we mentioned, resistance training or Strength Training can improve bone strength and increase your balance and flexibility, which may help protect your bones from fractures, and that goes for Osteopenia.

If you are concerned about your bone strength and density, get in contact to have a chat about how we can help in the Strength Training department!