Bone health guide

Bone Density: What It Means and Why It Matters

For education only. This page does not diagnose osteoporosis or replace individualized medical care.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a measurement used to help assess bone strength and fracture risk. Lower density can be associated with osteopenia or osteoporosis, but a single number is only part of a clinical assessment.

Why density changes

Bone is living tissue that is continually remodeled. Age, hormones, nutrition, activity, medicines and health conditions can affect the balance between bone formation and breakdown.

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Lifestyle approaches · Bone-health programs · Independent program review