Young women & bone loss

Osteoporosis is thought of as a disease that strikes women later in life. But the reality is younger women can have bone loss as well .
Eyewitness News reporter Lauren Glassberg has more on what puts this group at risk for osteoporosis, and why it's so important to treat the disease while bones are still growing.

Laura Teraskiewicz exercises regularly and eats a balanced diet. Yet at 25-years-old, she already has bone loss which can lead to osteoporosis.

A bone scan shows how significant Laura's bone loss is. Since her mom has osteoporosis, her condition is probably genetic.

A recent scan showed that 25-year-old Gabriella Mullady also has bone loss. She used to be a ballet dancer and didn't have good eating habits.

Whether it's genetics or lifestyle choices doctors say bone loss is often overlooked in younger women. The struggle to be thin puts many of them at risk for osteoporosis early in life because of poor diet and over-exercising.

Now, a study out of Ohio University shows how bad nutrition can be harmful to bone growth.

Researchers restricted the caloric intake of a group of women between the ages of 18 and 32 and had them exercise rigorously. Five days later, blood tests showed a decrease in the body's ability to build bone.

Around the age of 35 a women's body starts to lose bone mass. That's why proper diet rich in calcium early in life is critical to ensure against osteoporosis.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include a family history of the disease, women who are petite or thin, fair skinned or who are of Asian descent.

source : abclocal.go.com