Preventing 骨質疏鬆症
Diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits that protect bone strength as you age.
點解呢個 事情
Osteoporosis develops quietly. Bones lose density gradually over years, often without symptoms, until a fracture reveals how fragile they’ve become. The encouraging part is that many of the same daily habits that support overall health, staying active, eating well, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol, also directly protect bone strength.
飲食 建議
What you eat directly supplies the raw materials bone needs to rebuild itself. Here’s what the research points to:
Get enough calcium and vitamin D daily
Calcium and vitamin D work together, calcium builds bone, vitamin D helps your body absorb it. In practice: low-fat dairy or fortified soy milk, leafy greens, fish, and fortified juices or grains most days, alongside 10–15 minutes of morning sun a few times a week.
National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH
Don’t skimp on protein
Protein is a structural component of bone, not just muscle. In practice: a palm-sized portion of fish, poultry, tofu, eggs, or legumes at most meals, spread across the day rather than saved for dinner.
PROT-AGE Study Group, 2013
Watch sodium and alcohol
High sodium intake increases calcium loss through urine, and excess alcohol interferes with bone remodeling. In practice: favor fresh or home-cooked foods over processed ones, and keep alcohol to no more than one drink a day.
Include vitamin C-rich fruit and vegetables
Vitamin C supports collagen production, part of the bone matrix itself. In practice: citrus fruit, bell peppers, or strawberries a few times a week alongside your usual vegetables.
Avoid smoking
Smoking is directly linked to lower bone density and higher fracture risk. In practice: if you smoke, talk to your care team about cessation support, quitting benefits bone health at any age.
National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH
運動同生活方式 建議
Bone responds to load, weight-bearing and resistance exercise are the most direct way to slow bone loss and reduce fall risk:
Weight-bearing aerobic activity
Activities where your body works against gravity stimulate bone-building cells. In practice: a brisk 30-minute walk, dancing, or stair climbing, most days of the week.
NIAMS, NIH
Resistance and muscle-strengthening exercise
Pulling and pushing forces from muscle on bone directly stimulate bone density, and stronger muscles also mean better balance. In practice: resistance bands, light weights, or sit-to-stand exercises 2–3 days a week.
NIAMS, NIH
Balance training to prevent falls
Since a fall is often the direct cause of a fracture, balance work is as important as bone-building exercise itself. In practice: tai chi, standing on one foot near a counter, or a supervised balance class a couple of times a week.
Make your home fall-safe
Simple environmental changes reduce fracture risk as much as exercise does. In practice: install grab bars and night lights, remove loose rugs, and use a cane or walker if it helps you feel steadier.
National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH
Ask about a bone density screening
A DXA scan can catch low bone density before a fracture happens, and guide whether lifestyle changes alone are enough. In practice: ask your care team whether you’re due for a screening, particularly after menopause or age 65.
Community Resources (Hong Kong)
Making these changes is easier with structural support, not willpower alone:
District Elderly Community Centres & Neighbourhood Elderly Centres
Run across Hong Kong’s districts, these centres offer group exercise classes, health talks, social activities, and referral support, designed specifically to help older adults stay active and connected locally.
Elderly Health Centres, Department of Health
Eighteen centres across Hong Kong offer health assessment, counselling, and health education specifically for adults aged 65 and above, including bone health guidance.
District Health Centres & DHC Expresses
Available in all 18 districts, these centres provide health risk assessments and connect residents to local primary care and allied health services, including dietetic and physiotherapy support.
Support Teams for the Elderly (STEs)
Attached to District Elderly Community Centres, these teams provide check-ins and community connection for elders, and can be a helpful bridge between clinical care and daily life.
Ask your care team which of these is closest to you, or whether a referral would help.
Watch: Exercises for Strong Bones
Free video resources on safe, bone-friendly exercise for people with or at risk of osteoporosis:
Exercise for Osteoporosis, Osteopenia & Strong Bones
A demonstration of safe, weight-bearing and resistance exercises aimed at building and protecting bone density.
4 Exercises Everyone with Osteoporosis Should Do
A short, focused routine of movements designed to be safe for people managing low bone density.
- National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health. 骨質疏鬆症 — prevention, fall-proofing the home, and lifestyle guidance.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH. Exercise for Your Bone Health.
- Bauer J, et al. “Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group.” Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (2013).
- Hong Kong Social Welfare Department — District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres.
- Hong Kong Department of Health — Elderly Health Service and Elderly Health Centres.
This page provides general health information based on published guidelines and research and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Exercise, supplementation, and screening recommendations should be adapted to individual health conditions in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, particularly for those with an existing osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis, prior fractures, or mobility limitations.
Have questions about your bone health?
Your care team can help you understand your fracture risk and can point you to the right local resources.
Talk to your care team →