Most of us now acknowledge that osteoporosis can be a serious health problem as we age. This disease, which affects one in every two women and one in eight men over the age of 50, causes bone thinning that can lead to painful fractures, loss of height, loss of physical independence, and can even lead to death.

However, what many people don't understand is that osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of aging. You need to take steps, literally, to prevent it! In addition to eating a diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D, refraining from smoking and alcohol abuse, having a bone density test, and taking preventative medicines when necessary, we should all participate in a weight-bearing exercise program.

So, what constitutes weight-bearing exercise? You may imagine a shiny set of free weights or an elaborate machine that allows you to select various weights to use for various muscle groups. However, it is even easier than that. Weight bearing exercise includes activities like:

• Walking
• Dancing
• Jogging
• Skiing
• Skating
• Tennis
• and many other common activities

According to a survey by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, almost half of all adults (47%) erroneously believe that weight-bearing exercise requires the use of weight-training equipment.

Although strength training with weights is beneficial for your bones, everyday activities that are weight bearing can and should be easily incorporated into your daily routine. While swimming and bicycling are great as a cardiovascular exercise, they simply do not have an impact on our bones.

And, unfortunately, most Americans do not get enough exercise to keep their bones healthy. Osteoporosis prevention begins in childhood. It is important that we reach maximum bone mass early in our lives and then maintain that bone mass later in life—if we want to prevent osteoporosis. While we all know how important it is for our children to receive adequate calcium and vitamin D in their diets, few Americans think prevention should begin prior to the age of 30. Weight-bearing exercise is critical to prevention…at any age.

So, what are some important next steps? Simply put, just take them…steps that is. Work some more weight-bearing exercise into your day. Walk. Jog. Take an aerobics class. Play some tennis. Move about and strengthen those bones. You’ll be preventing osteoporosis.