Prevent From An Early Age, Understand The Risk Of Osteoporosis Before It's Too Late

Orthopedic and Traumatological Specialist dr. Aldico Juniarto Sapardan, Sp.OT. CF. (right) in the discussion themed "The Science Behind: Strong Bones, Preventing Osteoporosis Starts Today" which was held in Jakarta, Thursday (23/10/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Osteoporosis is often considered a disease that only attacks the elderly, even though the process of bone loss actually begins much earlier.

The inactive lifestyle, lack of calcium intake, and lack of sun exposure are factors that make the bone lose its strength slowly without realizing it. Therefore, prevention efforts from a young age are very important to do before the bone loses its mass and density.

Orthopedic and Traumatology Specialist from the University of Indonesia (UI), dr. Aldico Juniarto Sapardan, Sp.OT., CF, insists that maintaining bone health cannot be delayed until old age.

"Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that is often not detected until a fracture occurs," he said in a discussion themed The Science Behind: Strong Bones, Preventing Osteoporosis Starts Today in Jakarta, as quoted by ANTARA.

According to dr. Aldico, the peak of a person's bone mass occurs at the age of 20 to 30 years. This period is an important period to build bone strength.

"If that phase is passed without paying attention to diet and physical activity, the risk of fractures in the elderly will increase significantly," he explained.

He said osteoporosis is often dubbed a silent disease because it does not cause clear symptoms until the patient experiences fracture or fracture.

This condition occurs because the body takes calcium reserves from the bones when the intake of these minerals is insufficient. If it lasts a long time, the bone mass will decrease and eventually cause fragility.

In addition to having an impact on health, dr. Aldico emphasized that osteoporosis also causes social and economic burdens. The bone pattern due to osteoporosis can make a person lose independence. About 40 percent of survivors are no longer able to walk alone, and 60 percent still need help a year after a broken pelvic fracture, "he said.

Furthermore, the doctor who is also active at the Sumber Waras Hospital, Jakarta, explained that women have a higher risk, especially after menopause. Estrogen hormone imbalance at that time could disrupt calcium absorption and accelerate bone loss.

Research by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) noted that one in three women over 50 years of age is at risk of experiencing fractures due to osteoporosis. Data from the Ministry of Health also shows that the number of fractures in Indonesian women aged 50 70 years reaches 23 percent, and increases by 53 percent at the age of over 70 years.

For this reason, dr. Aldico recommends that people at high risk carry out bone density checks through bone densitometry or DXA scans as an early detection step.

He also reminded the importance of a healthy lifestyle to maintain bone density, such as exercising regularly, consuming calcium-rich foods, sunbathing in the morning sun, and avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine.

"Self-care must start early. If necessary, consumption of calcium supplements and vitamin D is also recommended," he concluded.