Raising Awareness About Osteoporosis
Nestle is partnering with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to help make consumers more aware of what can be done to prevent Osteoporosis. It is a disease in which bones become fragile, weak and prone to fractures, and is a growing problem in both emerging and developed countries.
Recent statistics released by the IOF showed that osteoporosis affects about one in three women over the age of 50, with over 200 million women affected worldwide. It also affects men, as one in five over the age of 50 is at risk of an osteoporotic fracture.
“The new partnership aims to help increase awareness about the ‘silent epidemic’ of osteoporosis,” says Emma Jacquier, Nutrition and Science Manager for the Dairy Strategic Business Unit at Nestle. “Staying in good health at a low cost is becoming vitally important for the public, governments and businesses as the world’s population ages.”
Nestle’s partnership with the IOF will highlight ways in which consumers can protect themselves from the disease. “Eating the right foods and staying physically active are important in order to age healthily,” explains Patrice McKenney, chief executive of the IOF. “People of all ages can help promote good bone and muscle health by ensuring that they have a healthy diet rich in calcium and protein, enough vitamin D and taking regular weight-bearing exercise.”
Activities have begun in Argentina, Brazil, China, Indonesia and the Philippines. Nestle is offering people bone-health checks and access to expert advice on health and nutrition in supermarkets and stores. Other activities and initiatives will be organised to highlight World Osteoporosis Day in October.
The partnership is Nestle’s latest commitment to raise awareness about osteoporosis. Last year the company led a study on vitamin D deficiency in office workers in Australia. Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body through exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Deficiency in this vitamin puts them at greater risk of osteoporosis, muscle weakness and can be implicated in some other chronic diseases. Research revealed that one in three workers had a deficiency in this essential micronutrient during the summer.
