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Quiz: Build Strong Bones

Osteoporosis is not inevitable and men can get it, too — test your knowledge of what you can do to protect your bones

Jess Ludwig

En español

Published June 01, 2021

9 Questions

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Quiz: Build Strong Bones

[ {
  "question" : "Which of the following statements about osteoporosis is true?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Low levels of sex hormones (estrogen in women; testosterone in men) can lead to it.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "The older you are, the greater your risk of getting it.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Women are more likely than men to get it.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "The condition runs in families.",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 53 million Americans already have or are at risk of getting osteoporosis — and many of them don't know it.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "Exercise can help build strong bones.",
  "questionImgCredit" : "Corbis"
}, {
  "question" : "What percentage of women and men over 50 are likely to break a bone at some point in their lifetime because of osteoporosis?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "50% of women; 25% of men",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "45% of women; 15% of men",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "25% of women; 25% of men",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "20% of women; 25% of men",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Osteoporosis is responsible for bone fractures in one out of every two women over 50 and one out of every four men over 50. Hip, spine and wrist fractures are common because those areas are most susceptible to bone loss. Women have smaller bones than men and so have less bone mass to begin with; estrogen loss during menopause also depletes bone mass.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Eating a calcium-rich diet can help keep bones strong. Which of the following foods is the biggest bone-builder per serving?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Plain low-fat yogurt, 8 ounces",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Cheddar cheese, 1½ ounces",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Nonfat milk, 8 ounces",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Sardines, 3 ounces, canned in oil",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Spinach, 1/2 cup, boiled",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "One cup of plain low-fat yogurt has 415 mg of calcium (here's how the rest of the list stacks up: cheddar cheese (306 mg); nonfat milk (302 mg); sardines (325 mg); spinach (122 mg). Getting enough calcium and vitamin D is critical to maintaining strong bones. Physicians recommend getting these vitamins and minerals from diet rather than supplements, if possible. You may want to limit your intake of caffeine, protein and vitamin A, because consuming each in excess can harm bones.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which of the following can decrease bone mass?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Smoking",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Excessive alcohol consumption",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "A sedentary lifestyle",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can leach vitamins and minerals from bones, thereby weakening them. If you don't use it, you lose it — bone mass, that is. A sedentary lifestyle does nothing to help increase bone density or improve balance, which is essential to avoiding falls.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Yes, exercise can help bones grow — which activity will add the most bulk to your bones?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Swimming",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Bicycling",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Jogging",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Water aerobics",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Exercise maintains bone mineral density and can help improve balance and posture, which helps protect against falls. Weight-bearing exercises are best to strengthen bones because they trigger the growth of new bone tissue — if you can't run or jog, then walking can help. As always, be sure to talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise program.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium — how much does a woman in her 50s need each day?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "600 IU",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "300 IU",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "1,000 IU",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "None of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "For adults ages 51-70, the Institute of Medicine recommends a daily dose of vitamin D of 600 IU (international units). If you're over 70, increase that dosage to 800 IU. Spending time in the sun and eating fatty fish (like salmon) and foods fortified with the vitamin can help you get your daily intake.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "How much daily calcium does a man in his 60s need?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "500 mg",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "1,500 mg",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "800 mg",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "1,000 mg",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "The Institute of Medicine recommends 1,000 mg of calcium a day for men until the age of 70, when the recommendation changes to 1,200 mg. Beginning at age 51, women should take 1,200 mg a day. To get your daily dose of calcium, eat dairy products, green leafy vegetables and beans. Many foods, including cereal and orange juice, are fortified with calcium.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Who should get a bone density screening?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "All women age 65 or older",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "All women over 40",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All men and women over 65",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "None of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women 65 and older get screened for osteoporosis, as well as younger women who have an increased risk for the disease. The task force does not recommend the screening for men, citing insufficient current evidence to assess the balance of benefit and harm.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
  "question" : "Which of the following types of drugs may be prescribed to men and women to prevent (and treat) osteoporosis?",
  "answers" : [ {
    "answer" : "Steroids",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "Bisphosphonates",
    "correctAnswer" : true
  }, {
    "answer" : "Statins",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  }, {
    "answer" : "All of the above",
    "correctAnswer" : false
  } ],
  "multiSelect" : false,
  "explanation" : "Bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel) are among the medications used to prevent osteoporosis by slowing down bone loss and maintaining bone density. Like all medicines, they have potential risks and side effects that should be discussed with your doctor.",
  "hint" : "",
  "hintLink" : "",
  "questionImgCaption" : "",
  "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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