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Background
Keywords
Findings
Authors
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?

Background

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that predisposes to fractures.  Sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D is recommended for prevention and treatment.

Data and methods

Based on 28,406 respondents aged 50 or older to the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)—Healthy Aging, the population who reported being diagnosed with osteoporosis is profiled.   Analysis of calcium and vitamin D intake is based on 10,879 respondents aged 50 or older to the 2004 CCHS—Nutrition.  Frequencies, averages and cross-tabulations were produced to estimate the prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis, dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D, the use of supplements, and total calcium and vitamin D intake.  Associations between a diagnosis of osteoporosis and socio-economic, dietary and lifestyle factors were examined with multiple logistic regression.

Results

In 2009, 19.2% of women and 3.4% of men aged 50 or older reported having been diagnosed with osteoporosis; the 2004 rates were similar.  Age, sex and household income were associated with the probability of reporting osteoporosis.  In 2004, based on dietary and supplement intake, 45% to 69% of the population aged 50 or older had inadequate intake of calcium, and 54% to 66% had inadequate intake of vitamin D.    

Interpretation

A large percentage of people aged 50 or older, particularly women, have osteoporosis.  The prevalence of inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is relatively high.

Keywords

bone density, bone diseases, bone loss, nutrition surveys, 24-hour dietary recall, vitamin and mineral supplements

Findings

The human skeleton is constantly being restored and replaced. In growing children, bone formation exceeds bone loss. The two processes balance out in adulthood, but with advancing age, bone mass starts to decrease. [Full Text]

Authors

Didier Garriguet (1-613-951-7187; didier.garriguet@statcan.gc.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.

What is already known on this subject?

  • Osteoporosis is characterized by a loss of bone mass and increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. 
  • The condition primarily affects older people, notably women. 
  • The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis usually involve sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D.

What does this study add?

  • This study provides recent data on the prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis and on the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements
  • In 2009, 19.2% of women and 3.4% of men aged 50 or older reported that they had been diagnosed with osteoporosis; at age 71 or older, the corresponding percentages were 31.1% and 6.4%. 
  • According to nutrition data from 2004, 28% of men and 48% of women aged 50 or older took calcium supplements; for those with osteoporosis, the percentages were 36% and 59%. 
  • An estimated 27% of men and 48% of women took vitamin D supplements; for people with osteoporosis, the percentages were 38% and 57%.
  • Even among those who took supplements, at least 25% had inadequate calcium intake, and more than 10% had inadequate vitamin D intake.