Peak Bone Mass and Preventing Osteoporosis

Format: Fact Sheet
Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Bone is living tissue that changes constantly, with bits of old bone being removed and replaced by new bone. During childhood and adolescence, much more bone is added than taken away, so the skeleton grows in both size and density. Your bones are at their maximum size and strength, known as peak bone mass, when you reach about age 30. After menopause, women experience rapid bone loss, which can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis.


Knowledge of how your bone mass changes throughout life can be especially valuable to women, who are more affected by osteoporosis. You can learn more about peak bone mass in women, and how to preserve your bone health, by reading a new fact sheet from NIAMS. It describes various factors affecting peak bone mass, including gender, race, hormones, nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle behaviors.

Next Steps
You can view this fact sheet online and download PDF files by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/bone_mass.htm.
For more information on bone health, contact the NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center at 1-800-624-2663 or NIAMSBoneInfo@mail.nih.gov.