A. Prentice

MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge UK. Correspondence: Dr Ann Prentice, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK@. Tel: (+44-1223) 426356. Fax: (+44-1223) 437505. E-mail: ann.prentice@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects many older people. Its aetiology is complex and nutrition is only one of many factors which influence bone mass and the risk of fragility fractures. This review briefly describes the biology and epidemiology of osteoporosis and focusses on role of nutrition in the bone health of older people. An overview of the current evidence relating calcium intake and vitamin D status in the elderly to bone mass and fractures is presented and set in context of recent population-based surveys that have identified important nutritional inadequacies among sub-groups of the elderly population in Europe.

Keywords: Bone, calcium, elderly, osteoporosis, vitamin D.