(Healthy Nutrition for Healthy Bones)
Osteoporosis affects millions of people all over the world. Therefore, the World Osteoporosis Day is observed each year on October 20th, to promote the health awareness of osteoporosis, methods of prevention, and available means of diagnosis and treatment of the disease. This year (2015), the campaign focuses on the nutritional needs for our skeletal system at different stages of life, from pre-birth to death.
Facts and Figures:
- Osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures a year (at a rate of one fractureper three seconds worldwide).
- Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50.
- In women, the risk of a hip fracture is higher than the risk of breast cancer, ovarian and uterine cancers combined.
- In men, the risk of fractures is equivalent to the risk of prostate cancer.
- A prior fracture caused by osteoporosis is associated with a 50% risk of having a second fracture; and with every new fracture the risk further increases.
- By 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fracture in men is projected to increase by 310% and 240% in women.
Official Date:
Globally: October 20th, 2015.
Locally: Al-Muharram 7th, 1437H.
Theme of the World Osteoporosis Day 2015:
“Serve up Bone Strength”
Objectives and General Messages:
Raising awareness of the importance of prevention of osteoporosis, by focusing on healthy nutrition and staple foods, in order to maintain bone health, by means of following these three health tips:
- Following a balanced diet with plenty of foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, proteins, and micronutrients (e.g. vitamin K, magnesium, and zinc).
- Regular exercising.
- Making sure to get sufficient intake of vitamin D.
- Raising the public awareness of osteoporosis complications.
Targeted groups:
- The public.
- Health professionals, physicians and physicists.
- Decision-makers.
- The media.
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