Osteoporosis develops slowly over several years.
The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) is warning that the current eating habits of teenagers and young adults is a ticking time bomb for their bones and time is running out for them to prevent permanent damage.
A survey carried out on behalf of the NOS has found that 70 per cent of 18 to 35 year-olds are currently, or have previously been, dieting.
In addition, 20 per cent had cut or significantly reduced dairy in their diet. Dairy is an important source of calcium, vital in building bone strength when people are young.
The most common diet for those aged 25 and under was ‘clean eating’, which can see dieters cutting out whole food groups from their diet.
“Diet in early adulthood is so important because by the time we get into our late twenties it is too late to reverse the damage caused by poor diet and nutrient deficiencies and the opportunity to build strong bones has passed,” said Professor Susan Lanham-New, Clinical Advisor to the National Osteoporosis Society and Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey.
The survey also showed that under 25s are much more likely than any other age group to be following health, diet or nutrition bloggers on social media.
This has led to concern over the influence the fad eating regimes promoted on social media are having on teenagers and young adults, and the impact it could have on the future health of this generation’s bones.
The foundations of good bone health are built in early adulthood, usually before the age of 25.
Diet at this time plays a key part in protecting the future health of bones.
Cutting out food groups during this stage of bone development could put future bone health at significant risk, and specifically increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become fragile and break easily.
Half of all women and one in five men develop osteoporosis after the age of 50.
Broken bones, also known as fractures, caused by osteoporosis can be very painful and slow to recover from.
A poor diet for those in their teens and early twenties now could see a significant rise in the numbers of people suffering fractures and the complications associated with them in the future.
Professor Lanham-New said she is concerned swathes of young adults are unwittingly putting themselves at risk by following eating trends.
“Without urgent action being taken to encourage young adults to incorporate all food groups into their diets and avoid particular ‘clean eating’ regimes, we are facing a future where broken bones will become just the norm,” she said.
“We know that osteoporosis is a painful and debilitating condition and young adults have just one chance to build strong bones and reduce their risk of developing severe problems in later life.”
How to reduce the risk of osteoporosis:
A healthy balanced diet, including all food groups, is essential for good bone health.
The foundations of good bone health are built before the age of 25, so diet in early adulthood plays a key part in protecting the future health of bones.
Calcium and vitamin D are essential components of a healthy diet and particularly essential for bone health
Specific foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D include most dairy products, green leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines, broccoli and baked beans.
Vitamin D can also come from the sunlight and it is important to spend some time with skin exposed to the sun.
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
