Prevention of osteoporotic fractures throughout the lifecourse

In May, the MRC Seminar Series welcomed Professor Cyrus Cooper OBE, DL, FMedSci, Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit at the University of Southampton.
Professor Cooper provided an insight into how the epidemiological research at the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit has identified risk factors - including genetics, low body mass index, poor diet, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of exercise physical inactivity - for bone fractures in later life. He also discussed their work on identifying preventive strategies against fractures, such as maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy (which enhances childhood bone mineral accrual) as well as primary and secondary preventive strategies involving risk assessment and treatment during later adult life.