We're all at risk of developing the silent but deadly osteoporosis. But as SITALA PEEK finds out, lifestyle changes we make now can make all the difference.

A FATHER-of-three from Beaconsfield is warning of the risks of a silent bone disease, which kills millions of people every year.

Paul Highett-Smith, 58, says that even healthy ten-year-olds, with no family history of osteoporosis, could be at risk of developing it through the lifestyle choices they make early on in life.

He says: "At school a child runs around and enjoys a fairly active lifestyle. When she leaves school she gets an office job where she sits down all day and because she has a car, drives everywhere.

"When at home she eats a low nutritional meal because she wants to show off her tummy in a bikini in the summer, but if she doesn't give her body the calcium it needs while her bones are still growing she could end up with osteoporosis in the future."

Osteoporosis affects more than three million adults in the UK and leads to an increased risk of bone fracture.

In the 50-plus age group with osteoporosis, half of all women and one in five men will suffer a fracture of the hip, wrist or spine.

Paul says this figure is alarming considering a fifth of all people with osteoporosis who suffer a fracture will die within the year.

Now Paul has set up his own mobile screening company in Beaconsfield to help with early diagnosis of the problem and help people to make lifestyle changes to reduce the likelihood of fractures.

He explains: "Because it is a silent disease many people have no idea they have osteoporosis until they have suffered a fracture. The only way to tell whether you have osteoporosis is by having a scan."

He says those at risk include anyone with a family history of the disease, people who are small boned, post menopausal women, binge drinkers, smokers and people taking steroids.

Paul admits that doctors and scientists have not yet discovered the underlying causes of osteoporosis.

But poor diet, an inactive lifestyle, smoking, drinking, and ageing are believed to be contributing factors.

Men naturally have a higher bone density than women and everyone in the 30-plus age range loses bone density through ageing.

Women can also lose bone density when their oestrogen hormone levels drop following the menopause. Government scientists recommend that people should eat up to 1,200 mg of calcium per day and 700mg of calcium per day to maintain healthy bones.

Scannappeal medical charity is fundraising for a replacement bone scanner at Amersham Hospital to serve up to 4,000 people per year in South Bucks. It is just £20,000 from its £100,000 target.

A charity spokesman says: "It's vital to screen as some are preventable and others are treatable. If you don't have a scan it's a case of waiting for a fracture to happen. Fractures can be limiting and greatly reduces independence.

Top tips to promote bone strength and prevent falling risks

Jog 20 minutes three times a week
Start climbing the stairs
Children could do 50 jumps a day or skip for five minutes
Indulge in the Chinese art of Tai Chai
Walk to build up bone strength
Take up weights and tennis to increase bone density
Eat a healthy balanced diet
The elderly should take up any activity, including armchair exercises which improves muscle strength

Donations to 01494 734161. Screening info on 0870 4430949