Lifestyle and Dietary Patterns as Risk Factors for Osteoporosis: A Literature Review

Background: Osteoporosis is a major public health concern and is highly prevalent worldwide. There is increasing evidence about the importance of nutrition to this chronic condition. Aim: In this literature review, we aim to show the association between dietary patterns and the risk of developing osteoporosis. Methods: We reviewed and reported over 90 research papers published in Google scholar and ScienceDirect between 1981 and 2020 that investigated a connection between nutrient intake, dietary patterns and lifestyle and the risk of developing osteoporosis. Conclusion: Bone health is usually supported by nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K and vitamin D. Healthy dietary patterns with high intakes of fruits and vegetables showed protective effects against osteoporosis. Physical activity and exercise also showed beneficial effects in protecting BMD. Other factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, pregnancy and lactation, and body mass index are all associated with osteoporosis risk. On the other hand, existing research shows that western dietary patterns ,including processed high protein diets, sugar, candy, soft drinks, pizza, French fries, and refined grains, are associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and a high risk of fractures. Besides all that, it has been reported that postmenopausal women tend to be primarily prone to osteoporosis, and this is mainly due to hormonal insufficiencies.