Osteoporosis is a major contributing factor to hip fractures and is responsible for over 1.5 million fractures annually in the United States. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that if bone loss is not addressed by the year 2020 half of all Americans older than 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass. This warning was taken serious by the District 1 FCS Agents and the District 1 Homemakers. A lesson, “Strong Women, Strong Bones,” was devised between 3 FCS agents to be taught in all 20 counties homemaker clubs. The other 2 agents were from Bath and Pike County. The leader lesson was taught by the Menifee County FCS agent in 5 of the counties. The leader lesson was designed to teach everything you need to know on how to beat and treat osteoporosis, which came from Dr. Miriam Nelson’s book Strong Women, Strong bones. Homemakers were led through weight bearing exercises to help build bone mass and ways to change diet to prevent bone loss.
Results of the leader lesson taught in the 5 counties.
76 % said they would be adding more calcium and Vitamin D to their diet, and adding
weight bearing exercise to their daily routine
80 % would be consuming more fruits and vegetables
48% would be cutting back on caffeine intake