Osteoporosis: Marissa, Jeremy and Eleanor Scenario B by Lisa Rubin University at Buffalo State University of New York

Jeremy

Jeremy, a lanky, 19-year-old college sophomore, has recently become interested in weightlifting thanks to his friend, Sebastian. He wants to improve his physique, strength, and self-esteem, and impress his girlfriend. Jeremy has been taking asthma medication since the age of seven and he hopes the exercise will also help to improve his condition, which seems to have slightly worsened over the years.

Throughout high school, Jeremy was always teased for being scrawny. Once he entered college, he wanted to put the past behind him. He soon discovered alcohol and its ability to bring people together. Jeremy drank more than his share freshmen year and had a belly to show for it.

Over the summer, he met Sebastian at his restaurant-catering job. Jeremy immediately noticed how muscular Sebastian was and asked him if he lifted weights. The two soon developed a friendship and became gym buddies, and Sebastian recommended a personal trainer for Jeremy.

Jeremy returned to school in the fall in better shape and promised himself to cut down on the drinking. His personal trainer had told Jeremy that he had small bones for a guy and alcohol would only aggravate the problem. Perhaps he should follow his lead and start taking steroids to bulk up. Jeremy wondered what he meant and intended to ask his biology professor.

Assignment for Group 2

Everyone in Group 2 must be capable of defining osteoporosis and its general effects on the body. In addition, the following concepts relating osteoporosis with nutrition, exercise, and drugs must be addressed in detail. It is up to the group to divide the necessary research. Research will be shared with the class. Ultimately, you must consider if Jeremy's activities will have any impact on his chances of developing osteoporosis and the risks and benefits of his behavior.

Nutrition and Osteoporosis:

1. Explain why calcium is vital to bone health.
    
2. What foods are good sources of calcium?
    
3. Discuss the importance of Vitamin D to calcium absorption.
    
4. Discuss calcium supplementation and the recommended daily dosages.
    
5. Discuss the effects of sodium, caffeine, and alcohol on calcium levels in the body.

Exercise, Drugs, and Osteoporosis:

6. Explain what peak bone mass is and its relationship to osteoporosis.
    
7. Describe the types of exercise that help prevent osteoporosis. Why?
    
8. What are steroids? What are they used for?
    
9. Explain how long-term use of steroids may increase risk for osteoporosis.

Image Credit:  Trabecular bone architecture of a lumber spine bone biopsy of a 42-year-old male (left) vs. that of an 84-year-old woman having clinically manifested osteoporosis (right). Images used with permission, courtesy of Ralph Mueller, Ph.D., ETH Zuerich and Harvard Medical School, Boston.

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