Which other factors can affect bone health?

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    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Factors that can negatively affect bone health include being underweight, smoking, female sex, having a family history of osteoporosis, and long-term use of certain medications. Additionally, specific diseases such as anorexia, cancer, and type 2 diabetes can also increase the risk of poor bone health.

    Having underweight, smoking cigarettes, being a woman, being of white or Asian descent, having a family history of osteoporosis, and long-term use of certain medications (including corticosteroids, breast cancer treatments, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and proton pump inhibitors) are risk factors for poor bone health.[1][2]

    Certain diseases may elevate the risk for poor bone health. These include anorexia, cancer, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, liver or kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disorders, lupus, alcohol use disorder, Cushing’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.[3]

    Which other factors can affect bone health? - Examine