December 2005
Hundreds of thousands celebrate 'Move It or Lose It!'
World Osteoporosis Day 2005 a success
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world joined in the fight against osteoporosis and celebrated World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) 2005, the International Osteoporosis Foundation said today.
"IOF is delighted by how many people embraced the theme of 'Move it or Lose it!' as we encourage women and men to realize that they can take responsibility for their bone health and not be victims of osteoporosis later in life," said IOF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Navid.
In Berlin on World Osteoporosis Day, October 20, the IOF launched the popular report "Move it or Lose it � How exercise helps to build and maintain strong bones, prevent falls and fractures, and speed rehabilitation" by Professor Helmut Minne. This report has been translated into more than 30 languages.
In other World Osteoporosis Day activities:
- Seven beauty queens championed strong bones, the role of exercise, and the need for young girls to build strong bones through adequate exercise and healthy nutrition, at a media event in Bangkok, Thailand on September 27.
- IOF released the song "Un Cuerpo Sano/A Healthy Body" by Erika Ender.
- Ten public service announcements which featured international celebrities who urged people to take charge of their own bone health, avoid osteoporosis and "move it or lose it" were produced and broadcast throughout the world.
- Many of IOF's 172 member societies in more than 80 countries, on all continents, conducted World Osteoporosis Day campaigns, reaching more than 50% of the world's population.
- The number of media print impressions worldwide as a result of WOD activities is more than 32 million.
This year's WOD theme marked the beginning of a three-year "lifestyle" campaign, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for personal bone health. The World Osteoporosis Day 2006 theme "Bone Appetit" will focus on the role of nutrition in building strong bones and the prevention of osteoporosis.
Understanding and reducing personal risk factors for osteoporosis will be the theme for World Osteoporosis Day in 2007.
For a full report of WOD around the world visit www.osteofound.org/activities/world_osteoporosis_day/index.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 170 member societies in 84 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.
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
International Osteoporosis Foundation 2005 Osteoporosis Journalism Awards. These awards recognize outstanding print reporting about osteoporosis. With prizes of USD 17,000, the closing date for award entries is January 31, 2006. For more information please go to www.osteofound.org/press_centre/journalism_award.html
For more information on osteoporosis and IOF, and to download the music video and the Public Service Announcements, please visit: www.osteofound.org/press_centre/index.html
For media enquiries:
Paul Spencer Sochaczewski or Janice Blondeau
International Osteoporosis Foundation,
Tel. +41 22 994 0100
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]