Osteoporosis: pediatric disease with geriatric consequences.

Osteoporosis affects 28 million Americans. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates this number will increase to 41 million by 2015. Ninety percent of bone growth occurs between the ages of 10 and 20. Present lifestyles of adolescents leave them predisposed to osteoporosis because they are producing lower peak bone mass. If teenagers can be taught to build their bones as strong as possible with diet and exercise, many cases of this disease may be prevented. This article outlines a method of teaching teens about osteoporosis that has been used with 250 junior high and high school students with favorable results.