Final answer:
Osteoporosis in older women is often caused by the hormonal changes that accompany menopause, specifically a decrease in estrogen production. This leads to a decrease in the activity of osteoblasts, resulting in the loss of bone mass. Other risk factors for osteoporosis include family history of the disease and lifestyle factors such as lack of weight-bearing exercise and a diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone density, particularly in older adults. In women, the loss of bone mass seen in osteoporosis is often caused by the hormonal changes that accompany menopause. Menopause leads to a decrease in estrogen production, which is a hormone that promotes bone formation. As a result, without sufficient estrogen, the activity of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building bone, decreases, leading to the loss of bone mass.
Other factors that increase the risk of developing osteoporosis include having a family history of the disease and certain lifestyle factors, such as a lack of weight-bearing exercise and a diet that is deficient in calcium and vitamin D.