What countries have the highest incidence of osteoporosis?

Sinday - not a test question, and I haven't googled it. I am thinking about Vit D absorption. If countries that are far away from the equator don't get much direct sun, are people more prone to developing osteoporosis.

Countries that have the highest incidence of Osteoporosis are, U.S.A, Australia, Switzerland, UK & Nothern Europe ,and Italy...

Hi mom, was studying and saw this Q. Uh....this is more about epidemiology than medicine....lol...so I honestly dont have the data here...but someone might have.

However , women have higher risk to having it than men. And a statistic has shown that, 1 million Americans experience a significant fragility fracture each year . There are 3 hypotheses in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis

a - Age related changes in bone cells and matrix have strong impact on bone metabolism.

b- Reduced physical activity increases the rate of bone loss in experimental humans because mechanical forces are very critical stimulu for bone remodelling.

c- Genetics : vitamin D receptor molecule inherited from parents account for 75% of the maximal peak mass of bone. So if the parents have some defect in vitamin D molecule and indeed have been diagnosed with this gene-related osteoporosis, theres an increased chance the kids would have it later in life. It is the UV in the sun that triggers vitamin D synthesis which is crucial for calcium absorption. The medical community has generally agreed that 10 minutes under the sun ( not at peak sun hour 10am - 4pm - this is considered more harmful ) everyday is sufficient in Summer. In winter, about 20 to 25 minutes every day in the sun when the UV light is low is enough.

d- Girls are at risk during adolescent years than boys because of their diet lacking of calcium leading to calcium deficiency during a period of rapid bone growth >> at risk of developing osteo.

e- Hormonal influence : after menopause , yearly, bout 2% of bone mass is loss ( cortical bone ), and 9% of cancellous bone is loss. And within 30 to 40 years, the figure would likely be 35% and 50% respectively. Statistically, 1 in 2 women would be likely to suffer fracture compared to 1 in 40 men. This is due to estrogen deficiency. Hence , estrogen replacement therapy is helpful against osteo.

f - Secondary cause of osteo can also be observed in individuals with prolonged treatment of glucocorticoid

So it is appropriate to say underdeveloped countries are more likely to have higher incidence of osteoporosis because if insufficient calcium in diet. In developed countries, milk and dairy that are packed with calcium are consumed more. Also educational information about the disease is also important which is more likely to practiced in developed countries than developing and underdeveloped ones.

Edit : Incidence of osteo is not likely to depend on geographical factor. It is true that far north countries are less likely to recieve sunlight than people in the equator...However , the amount of vitamin D synthesis is likely to be proportional to the calcium consumed , low UV Sun is enough for vitamin D synthesis .In equator countries , although they probably recieve more sunlight , the rate of calcium and vitamin D synthesis also needs to stay proportionally so there is a threshold as to how much calcium and vitamin D can be synthesized each day.

I don't know without googling. Have you googled it or is this a test question? :-)

I know some medical folk think meat takes calcium fm the bones, but I don't believe that. I would be willing to bet the more processed the food eaten the higher the incidence of osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, that's all us American have to eat, at this point. Sucks!

hi janet again. oops just answered you.

I think people who think that milk delivers everything. Mainly some european countries.

Lack of exercise also.

Northern european countries I would guess where people still think that bacon is the greatest thing and milk should be drank at every meal and veg and fruits to be forgotten..

ex: Ireland. ( not googling it ..but kind of familiar with that country)

ahh good nite now Janet !

smiling : what can I say after the "tick" ?? thanks Ryan for your great answers !

am going to ask a Q ..hope Ryan answers it..

Hey Janet!!!

I heard Europe has the highest especially in Sweden but I don't know about the other countries.

Hope it's something! : )