Created by Susan E. Brown, PhD, C.C.N

Director, The Osteoporosis Education Project

Anywhere from one quarter to one half of all U.S. women and a growing number of men WILL experience a significant osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime. Far from being a simple disorder, many factors contribute to the development of weak and fragile bones.  The following questionnaire is designed to help you assess your risk of experiencing an osteoporotic fracture.

1. I am 65 years of age or older

2. I have little muscular development

3. I presently smoke.

4. During my life, I have gone through 3 or more cycles of losing and regaining 10 pounds or more.

5. I eat meat, fish, or other flesh foods more than once per day.

6. I tend to worry a lot and am more often unhappy than happy.

7. I do not exercise (at least 20 minutes) 3 times per week.

8.  I have 3 or more significant health problems, (in my own opinion).

9. I spend less than 30 minutes 3 times per week outside in sunshine.

10. On a daily basis, I generally consume less than two servings of dairy or green leafy vegetables or calcium fortified food (such as fortified OJ or fortified soy milk).

11. I have had 3 or more major surgeries in my life involving general anesthesia.

12 I am underweight.

13. I regularly use, or have used over long periods of time, Glucocorticoids "steroid" drugs (such as prednisone or steroid inhalers) or high doses of steroid medication.

14. One or both of my parents fractured a hip.

15. I have lost two inches of height.

16. 1 am 80 years of age or older.

17. I generally consume less than four servings of vegetables per day.

18. I drink more than two cups of coffee or two sodas or two servings of alcohol a day.

19. I have experienced a bone fracture not due to severe trauma.

20. (For women only) During my menstruating years, there were times when my period stopped for many months, not including pregnancy, lactation period or menopause.

Questionnaire Scoring

4 or less YES answers, indicates LOW level of risk for Osteoporosis

5 to 8 YES answers, indicates a questionable risk for Osteoporosis.

9 or more YES answers, suggests likely risk for Osteoporosis.

Questionnaire Note

If you are 35 years old or younger and you have 4 or more YES answers, then your long term risk for suffering an osteoporotic fracture might still be significant. If you are a senior, you are likely to have more risk factors.  Aging by its very nature tends to increase one's risk for osteoporosis.  Do not be discouraged, rather establish an action program to reduce risk factors under your control, like diet, exercise and lifestyle habits.

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