When people think about bone health, they often focus on older age, but research shows that the choices you make in midlife can have a lasting impact on your risk of fractures many years down the road. A recent long-term study adds to what we already know about how lifestyle habits affect bone health and fracture risk. Nearly 13,000 men were followed for several decades, and the results found that midlife habits, including physical activity levels and body weight, were strongly linked to hip fracture risk decades later. In fact, these early lifestyle factors helped predict fracture risk up to 50 years later. While the study focused on men, the message applies to everyone. Bone health is built and maintained over time, and midlife is a critical window to support it.
The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) is currently collecting written stories as part of a patient support initiative called Voices of Osteoporosis: Stories of Hope and Inspiration. If you have experienced osteoporosis as a patient or caregiver, we invite you to share your story. Your story could inspire others to learn how to protect their ability to live their best life and stay bone strong.
For many people, osteoporosis feels like something that happens much later in life and something to think about decades down the road. It’s often associated with aging or frailty, and many assume it will be obvious if their bones become weak. In reality, osteoporosis often develops quietly over many years, often without any obvious warning signs. For some families, the first sign can come unexpectedly, through a fracture that seems to happen from a relatively minor fall.
Join the Bone Buddies Online Virtual Support Group this March! Weekly sessions cover topics ranging from diet, exercise, treatment, and more!
Jaimie Colonna, PT, is a physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor with more than 20 years of experience. She practices with Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation in the greater Philadelphia area and serves as a peer educator for the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. A BoneFit™–trained professional, Jaimie integrates evidence-based exercise, fall prevention education, and functional movement training to support individuals living with osteoporosis and those seeking to protect their bone health. She is committed to fostering stronger collaboration among physical therapists, physicians, and nutrition professionals to promote early, proactive attention to bone health and empower individuals to move with strength and confidence.
I am a physical therapist by profession. Over the last 20 years, I have worked with various orthopedic diagnoses. I have been, and will always be, an advocate for prevention and wellness. In 2008, I was introduced to the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program, which has been housed at Helen Hayes Hospital since 1997.
