Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

Although anyone — even men — can develop osteoporosis, there are certain factors that can predispose specific employees to the disease. The osteoporosis risk assessment instrument CIGNA Corp. provides its employees in its screening program includes the following description of individuals who are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis: "Women prone to bone loss include those with a family history of osteoporosis, Caucasian women and Asian women, and women who are thin or small-boned."

Other factors that may contribute to risk include:

• smoking;

• too much alcohol;

• too little exercise;

• too little calcium (now or as a child);

• a previous broken bone that resulted from a minor injury;

• certain medications, such as steroids (commonly used to treat asthma and arthritis) and thyroid hormone (if the dose is too high);

• early menopause (before age 45).