International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) 

International Osteoporosis Foundation: Exercise Vital to Build Strong Bones

BERLIN, Germany, October 20 /PRNewswire/ -- 

- "Move it or Lose it" Starts Three-year Lifestyle Campaign to Fight Osteoporosis

Exercise can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures, a new report explains.

"One of the best ways to build and maintain healthy bones is through exercise," noted Professor Helmut Minne, IOF Board member and author of Move it or Lose it: How exercise helps to build and maintain strong bones, prevent falls and fractures and speed rehabilitation.

The report was issued at a press event in Berlin, Germany, by International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to mark World Osteoporosis Day 2005. The event was organized by the Nationale Initiative gegen Osteoporose, a consortium of leading organizations and people fighting osteoporosis.

"We hope that our positive message will encourage women and men to realize that they can take responsibility for their bone health and not be victims of osteoporosis later in life," noted IOF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Navid.

Osteoporosis, in which the bones become fragile and break easily, is one of the world's most devastating and common chronic diseases. It strikes one in three women over 50 worldwide (more than breast cancer) and one in five men (more than prostate cancer).

Highlights of the Move it or Lose it report, to be distributed in some 80 countries:

• Because bone is living tissue, which renews itself continuously, it requires regular stimulation from physical activity. Bones should be used regularly or they will deteriorate.

• In girls, the bone tissue accumulated between 11-13 years approximately equals the amount lost during the 30 years following menopause.

• One study in Finland shows that the most physically active young girls gain about 40% more bone mass than the least active girls of the same age.

• Women who sit for more than nine hours a day are more likely to have a hip fracture.

• Weight bearing and high impact exercise (dancing, walking, jogging, sports, strength training) is required to stimulate bone formation.

Other World Osteoporosis Day materials released:

Un Cuerpo Sano/A Healthy Body - Osteoporosis song

Recognizing that dancing is a fun and effective way to build bones, IOF has commissioned the world's first Latin-beat osteoporosis song, Un Cuerpo Sano/A Healthy Body. It was written and performed by Erika Ender, a leading pop singer who donated her creative energy to this project.