Who is most likely to develop osteoporosis?

Post-menopausal women and elderly individuals are most likely to develop osteoporosis due to several key factors related to hormonal changes and aging. In women, the decrease in estrogen levels that occurs after menopause significantly contributes to bone density loss. Estrogen is crucial for maintaining bone mass, and its decline accelerates the rate of bone resorption, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Additionally, elderly individuals face age-related declines in bone density and the overall balance between bone resorption and formation becomes unfavorable. As people age, the body's ability to produce new bone diminishes, and combined with other risk factors such as reduced physical activity and nutritional deficiencies, this can lead to higher incidences of osteoporosis.

In contrast, young athletes generally maintain higher levels of bone density due to the physical activity associated with their sports. Men in their thirties are typically not at high risk for osteoporosis either, as they generally have more robust bone density during that age. Individuals with high calcium intake may actually support healthier bone density, rather than being at risk for developing osteoporosis. Thus, the combination of hormonal changes in post-menopausal women and the natural aging process makes this group the most likely to develop osteoporosis.