ABSTRACT
In 1994, the World Health Organization recognized the importance of peak bone mass and defined osteoporosis in older women as bone density of 2.5 or more standard deviations below the young adult norm. Optimizing bone accrual during growth and peak bone mass is a key osteoporosis prevention strategy. Bone density and osteoporosis are complex traits influenced by behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors. Family and twin studies uniformly demonstrate significant heritability in bone traits and osteoporosis fracture risk. Adequate nutrient intake is necessary for children and adolescents to achieve their genetic potential for bone mass, density, and strength. Conceptually, “peak bone mass” is the maximal mass, density, and structural strength of bone that occurs in one’s lifetime, and results from the accumulation of bone during growth and maturation of the skeleton. Compromised bone health can be added to the list of deleterious health effects of tobacco smoke.
