Who is at greater risk for developing osteoporosis?

Women, especially post-menopause, are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis primarily due to hormonal changes that occur during this life stage. After menopause, women experience a significant drop in estrogen levels, which is a hormone that plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density. Estrogen helps to slow down the rate of bone resorption and promotes bone formation. With lower estrogen levels, the balance shifts towards bone loss, making women more susceptible to osteoporosis.

Additionally, women typically have lower peak bone mass than men due to differences in skeletal structure and size, further increasing their risk as they age. Factors such as thin body frame, family history of osteoporosis, and prolonged lack of estrogen due to factors like early menopause or certain medical conditions can also contribute to the increased risk among post-menopausal women.

In contrast, while men also experience a decline in bone density with age, this process tends to occur more gradually and later in life compared to women. Children under 18 are usually still building bone density and thus are not at risk for osteoporosis during this growth period. The notion that all genders are equally at risk overlooks the significant impact of hormonal differences and the timing of hormonal changes in women specifically related to menopause.