KARACHI, Oct 20: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet enriched with calcium and vitamin D, avoiding smoking and regular exercise can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

This was the essence of a report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) “Invest in your bones” launched here on Friday to mark the World Osteoporosis Day (WOD).

Osteoporosis, in which bones become fragile and break easily, is one of the world's most devastating and common chronic diseases. It strikes one in three women over 50 worldwide (more than breast cancer) and one in five men (more than prostate cancer).Dr Akhtar Ahmed, president Osteoporosis Society of Pakistan, ruled out the perception that osteoporosis was an age-related disease and clarified that it was just like other diseases caused mainly owing to the deficiency of calcium and vitamin D.

He noted that the IOF report would play an important role in spreading cognizance about the disease in Pakistan as well as worldwide.

“Through WOD 2006, we are highlighting how healthy food and good nutrition help to build peak bone mass in young people, help to maintain general health during adulthood and are useful as part of treatment programme for people with fractures,” Dr Ahmed added. He feared that osteoporosis could become an epidemic in the years to come if due attention was not paid to this disease.--PPI