The new report "Bone Appetit: the role of food and nutrition in building and maintaining strong bones" shares its title with the theme of WOD 2006, celebrated today with international activities by IOF's member societies in 86 countries.

IOF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Navid, speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong, noted: "Everyone can help to reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis by following a bone-healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet, taking regular exercise and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol.

"By rejecting the misconception that "skinny is beautiful" and not following harmful and excessive weight loss diets, people can build strong bones and help to reduce the risk of breaking bones due to osteoporosis later in life."

Professor Annie Kung, president of the Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong, speaking at the conference, predicted an osteoporosis epidemic in Asia, noting: "It is projected that by 2050 about 50% of all osteoporotic hip fractures will occur in Asia. Partly this is due to increasing life expectancy, but is also related to lifestyle factors, including less-healthy eating habits."

"The importance of a nutritious diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D to build and maintain bone strength has been shown in numerous clinical studies," said Dr Edith Lau, president of the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Foundation and an IOF Board member. "Like any organ in the body, the skeleton needs a constant supply of nutrients to function properly and replenish itself throughout our lives."

Also released by IOF today were twelve 30-second Public Service Announcements in which internationally-known entertainers, athletes, chefs and osteoporosis advocates urge people to adopt bone-friendly eating habits.

World Osteoporosis Day, which begins the "Year of Bone Nutrition" also saw the launch of a completely new IOF website - www.iofbonehealth.org - which went live for the first time during the Hong Kong press conference.

The new website features nutritional information for the public and health professionals, a global recipe database, and a calcium intake calculator. Nutrition facts released today show:

Calcium and vitamin D

- Studies in children and adolescents have shown that adding extra dietary or supplemental calcium enhances the rate of bone mineral gain during growth.

- Vitamin D is essential for assisting calcium absorption and ensuring bone tissue renewal yet a growing body of evidence suggests that, on a global level, vitamin D deficiency is widespread.

- Calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduces rates of bone loss and also reduces fracture rates in older people.

Protein

- Adequate dietary protein is essential for bone health. Studies have shown that elderly men and women with higher dietary protein intakes had lower rates of hip and spine bone loss than those consuming lower amounts of protein.

- In elderly patients who have suffered hip fractures, ensuring sufficient protein intake helps to speed recovery, shorten hospital stays, and increase the likelihood of returning to independent living.

Lifestyle factors

- Bone mass accumulation is greatest during puberty, thereby putting adolescents who follow unnecessary and excessive diets, and particularly those with anorexia nervosa, at greater risk for reduced peak bone mass and for fractures later in life.

WOD 2006 is supported by an unrestricted educational grant provided by four Global Gold Sponsors: Fonterra Brands, MSD, Novartis and Tetra Pak. In addition, the InterContinental Hong Kong, which is hosting the 20 October launch, will offer a special "bone-friendly" menu at its acclaimed Cantonese restaurant 'Yan Toh Heen'.

For more information on osteoporosis and IOF please visit: www.iofbonehealth.org

Source: International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)