Osteoporosis prevention: strategies applicable for general population groups.

Osteoporosis is a common condition of the elderly population that entails considerable morbidity and mortality. Although prevention recommendations often focus on perimenopausal women, the condition begins well before the age of menopause and also affects men. Prevention techniques include hormonal replacement therapy, optimization of calcium intake and absorption, weight-bearing exercise, cessation of tobacco and alcohol abuse, fall prevention, and management of predisposing medical conditions. All of these techniques are analyzed by commonly accepted criteria. Recommendations for osteoporosis prevention that are applicable to general population groups are presented.