Which population is at increased risk for developing osteoporosis?

• A. Children
• B. Male athletes
• C. Postmenopausal women
• D. Middle-aged men

Answer: (C)

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis primarily due to the significant drop in estrogen levels that occurs after menopause. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density; it helps to inhibit bone resorption (the process by which bone is broken down and minerals are released into the bloodstream). With lower levels of this hormone, women experience an acceleration of bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis. This condition is characterized by weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures.

In contrast, children typically have healthy bone density, as their bodies are still growing and forming bone. Male athletes may also experience some bone density fluctuation due to intense physical activity, but they do not have the same hormonal changes associated with menopause that greatly increase the risk of osteoporosis. Middle-aged men can experience bone density loss as well, but the risk is significantly less than that seen in postmenopausal women because they do not undergo the same sharp decline in hormone levels. Therefore, the susceptibility to osteoporosis is particularly pronounced in postmenopausal women, making them the population most at risk.