Tetra Pak and International Osteoporosis Foundation highlight growth of osteoporosis around the world

Osteoporosis expected to increase fourfold to 6 million by 2050, says IOF

Tetra Pak and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), join together today, on the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day, to draw attention to the growing incidence of osteoporosis around the world and to highlight preventative action to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Seventy five million people in Europe, the United States and Japan alone are affected by the condition, with one in three women and one in five men over the age of fifty having an osteoporotic hip fracture

As the global population continues to grow and people live longer, the incidence of osteoporosis increases alongside the ageing of populations worldwide. The number of hip fractures worldwide is expected to rise from the over 1.5 million to over 6 million by the year 2050, according to the IOF. Osteoporosis has been described as a chronic condition which manifests itself in old age – so one of the best preventative measures to avoid later in life fractures is to build up the strongest bones possible during childhood and adolescence.

A jointly designed, "Osteoporosis Map" points out the rising incidence of the disease in both developed and developing countries and highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition and the role that calcium-rich products such as milk and dairy can play in protecting bone health. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduces rates of bone loss and fracture rates in older male and female adults.

View/download the complete Press release (pdf).

Visit www.iofbonehealth.org

For more information please contact:

- Linda Bernier, Director Corporate PR, Tetra Pak, +39 348 145 42

- Liddy Chillcott GolinHarris for Tetra Pak +44 (0) 207 067 0624

- Margaret Walker, Policy Manager, IOF +41 22 994 01 09