BMJ 1999;318:205-206 ( 23 January )

Editorials

Preventing osteoporosis, falls, and fractures among elderly people

Promotion of lifelong physical activity is essential 

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

In recent decades the number and incidence of injuries caused by falls among older adults have increased dramatically throughout the world, and without any population level intervention the increasing trend is likely to continuelargely because of an increasing number of older people.¹ About two thirds of these injuries are bone fractures, the hip fracture being the most common, the most devastating, and the most expensive that our healthcare systems have to face.¹

Regular exercise is probably the only method that may prevent osteoporotic fractures, the true end point of the entire osteoporosis problem, by preventing both osteoporosis and falls. The evidence seems stronger for exercise preventing osteoporosis. Human and animal studies have shown that physical activity can increase bone mass, density, and strength. ^{2 3} The starting age of activity is crucial: the benefit to bone is doubled if the activity is started before or at puberty rather than after it. ^{3 4} . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Jessup, J. V., Horne, C., Vishen, R. K., Wheeler, D. (2003). Effects of Exercise on Bone Density, Balance, and Self-Efficacy in Older Women. Biol Res Nurs 4: 171-180 [Abstract]  
• Carter, N. D., Khan, K. M., McKay, H. A., Petit, M. A., Waterman, C., Heinonen, A., Janssen, P. A., Donaldson, M. G., Mallinson, A., Riddell, L., Kruse, K., Prior, J. C., Flicker, L. (2002). Community-based exercise program reduces risk factors for falls in 65- to 75-year-old women with osteoporosis: randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 167: 997-1004 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Tiner, R., Edwards, L., Jacobs, A., Sambrook, P., Stenmark, J., Karmali, J., Anderson, M., Karasz, A., Lurie, P., McKechnie, S., Moncrieff, J., Thomas, P., Moynihan, R., Heath, I., Henry, D. (2002). The pharmaceutical industry and disease mongering. BMJ 325: 216-216 [Full text]  
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• Salkeld, G, Cameron, I D, Cumming, R G, Easter, S, Seymour, J, Kurrle, S E, Quine, S, Ameratunga, S. N, Brown, P. M (2000). Quality of life related to fear of falling and hip fracture in older women: a time trade off study • Commentary: Older people's perspectives on life after hip fractures. BMJ 320: 341-346 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Feder, G., Carter, Y., Donovan, S., Cryer, C., Seeman, E, Kannus, P. (1999). Preventing osteoporosis, falls, and fractures among elderly people. BMJ 318: 1695-1695 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

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Prevention of falls among elderly people

Gene Feder
bmj.com, 4 Feb 1999 [Full text]

Good Theory To Good Practice

Claire Keatinge
bmj.com, 12 Feb 1999 [Full text]

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