The facts:

Osteoporosis is a disease of brittle bones. Loss of bone mineral (calcium) leads to weakening of the skeleton, fragility and bony fractures. In Australia 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men aged 70 years and older suffer from osteoporosis.

Women at risk of osteoporosis are usually post-menopausal, of small body frame with a previous history of smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption and lack of exercise.