Evolutionary Origins of the Differences in Osteoporosis Risk in US Populations

Over the past 50 years, it has been increasingly evident that there are population differences in bone mass and the risk of osteoporosis. In the United States, many studies have reported a lower prevalence of osteoporosis in African Americans compared with people of European descent. If we trace the trajectory of changes in lifeways from the earliest migrations of early Homo out of Africa over the past two million years or so, to include lower vitamin D levels in higher latitudes; more meat in the diet; increasing sedentism; and a longer lifespan/longer postmenopausal period, it is not surprising that osteoporosis occurs more frequently in populations of European descent.
Source: Journal of Clinical Densitometry - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research