Final answer:
Osteoporosis is a disorder where bone mass declines, increasing the risk of fractures in older adults, particularly after menopause in women due to a decrease in estrogen levels. Adequate nutrition and exercise can help reduce the risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
In osteoporosis, bone mass declines, bones easily fracture and may spontaneously break because they no longer can support body weight. This is a disorder that generally occurs in older adults, often due to hormonal changes such as those seen in postmenopausal women when estrogen levels decrease, inhibiting osteoblastic activity that helps build and maintain the bone matrix. With the weakening of bone tissue, minor stresses such as a sneeze can cause a vertebral fracture, and a simple fall can lead to more serious fractures, such as a broken hip.
Bone density decreases with age as the balance between bone formation and bone resorption shifts, causing the bones to thin and lose strength, making them more prone to fractures. Factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle choices, and exercise play a pivotal role in an individual's risk of developing osteoporosis, highlighting the importance of adequate calcium and vitamin D intake as well as weight-bearing exercises to maximize bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.