Share

Nutrition and bone health session to open the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis in Bangkok

4 leading experts to discuss the role of protein, vitamins and minerals in the onset of osteoporosis

The IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis, the largest scientific conference devoted primarily to osteoporosis, will open on December 3rd in Bangkok with a special session focused on four key topics in nutrition and bone health.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre at the University of Southampton; and Norman Collisson Chair of Musculoskeletal Sciences at the University of Oxford, will speak on the developmental origins of osteoporosis.

He will outline recent studies that show how adverse influences during fetal development or immediately after birth independently affect the later risk of osteoporotic fracture.

The role of bone growth and nutrition will be reviewed by Professor René Rizzoli, Head of the Division of Bone Diseases (WHO Collaborating Center for Osteoporosis Prevention), Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals. He will discuss recent studies that show how a combination of optimal nutritional intake and environmental factors (such as exercise) in childhood and adolescence helps individuals optimize their largely genetically determined peak bone mass.

Epidemiological evidence that has shown associations between poor vitamin K nutrition and age-related bone loss in elderly men and women will be outlined by Dr. Sarah Booth, Senior Scientist and Director of the Vitamin K laboratory at the Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

Professor Bess Dawson-Hughes, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Metabolic Bone Disease Clinic at Tufts New England Medical Center, Tufts University will review the important role of protein and discuss how its interaction with calcium impacts on bone mineral density and fracture risk.

The Nutrition and Bone Health Session, one of four special focused sessions, will be held during the morning of December 3, 2007 prior to the official opening of the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis in Bangkok.

To view the complete scientific program and for online registration please visit http://www.iofbonehealth.org/wco/2008/homepage.html

Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. The result: pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and in many cases, death. One out of three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one out of five men 1,2,3.. Unfortunately, screening for people at risk is far from being a standard practice. Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 188 member societies in 91 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.

IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis, held every two years, is the only global congress dedicated specifically to all aspects of osteoporosis. Besides the opportunity to learn about the latest science and developments in diagnosis, treatment and the most recent socio-economic studies, participants have the chance to meet and exchange ideas with other physicians from around the world. All aspects of osteoporosis will be covered during the Congress which will comprise lectures by invited speakers presenting cutting edge research in the field, and a large number of oral presentations and poster sessions selected from submitted abstracts. Meet the Expert Sessions covering 22 key topics relating to diagnosis and management of osteoporosis are also on the program.

1. Melton U, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C et al. How many women have osteoporosis? Journal of Bone Mineral Research, 1992; 7:1005-10
2. Kanis JA et al. Long-term risk of osteoporotic fracture in Malmo. Osteoporosis International, 2000; 11:669-674
3. Melton LJ, et al. Bone density and fracture risk in men. JBMR. 1998; 13: No 12:1915

For more information on osteoporosis and IOF please visit: http://www.iofbonehealth.org

For more information please contact:

International Osteoporosis Foundation
Tel. +41 22 994 0100
E-mail: news@iofbonehealth.org

Share

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.