Walk it off , walk it off

Osteoporosis, a condition caused by the imbalance of bone resorption and bone formation, is a debilitating disease that causes bone deterioration (Johnson, 2010). Considered by some as a preventable disease and by others a genetic disorder that exhibits through aging (Livshits, 2005), all herald the importance of diet and exercise in the prevention or onset delay of osteoporosis. Specifically identified are the incorporation of 1,000 mg of calcium per day, vitamin D (UC-Davis, 2010), weight-bearing exercise such as walking 30 minutes per day, and weight-lifting (Bergmann, 2010). However, the challenge remains in patient participation and follow-through. It is especially challenging in the establishment of fitness routines and diet among those previously sedentary and malnourished, as prevention is significantly enhanced by the duration of fitness and diet prior to onset (Lv, 2011).
Perhaps, this challenge can be addressed by more effective osteoporosis health educational programs. Specific genotypes have been linked to adult onset of osteoporosis (Livshits, 2005) that allow for targeted educational programs (Lv, 2011). This targeting seems essential, as concentrating on specific groups of people, such as an ethno-cultural group, that have higher prevalence of a disease can encourage participation and awareness. Similar to the association of sickle-cell anemia affecting African-Americans, breast cancer affecting women, osteoporosis as an Asian-American disease is generating concentrated efforts of developing nutritional, pharmaceutical, and lifestyle options and programs. While these efforts are currently wide-spread, the concentration of research among this affected population allows for greater determinations to be made regarding pharmaceutical efficacy and program evaluation.

Bergmann P, Body JJ, Boonen S, Boutsen Y, Devogelaer JP, Goemaere S, Kaufman J, Reginster JY, Rozenberg S. (2010, December 20)Loading and skeletal development and maintenance. Journal Osteoporos, 2011, 786752.

Johnson, M.D. (2010). Human Biology: Concepts and current issues. San Francisco. CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

Livshits, G. (2005 February) Genetic epidemiology of skeletal system aging in apparently healthy human population. Mech Ageing Dev.;126(2):269-79.
Lv, N, Brown, JL., (2011, January) Impact of a nutrition education program to increase intake of calcium-rich foods by Chinese-American women. Journal of American Diet Association.111(1):143-9.

University of California-Davis- Health System (2010, January 15). Benefits of calcium and vitamin D in preventing fractures confirmed. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 31, 2011 from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/01/100114143325.htm