Abstract
Childhood is a period of formation of peak bone mass. Primary prevention of osteoporosis must concentrate on increasing bone mass before the end of adolescence.
Bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) are predictors of the risk of fracture. BMC increases mainly in the first three years of life and during pubertal growth spurt.
The process of acquisition of bone mass is indeed genetically determined, but influenced by many factors depending on lifestyle. Peak bone mass (PBM) is achieved early third decade of life, with 26% of the adult BMC is obtained during 4-year period around the peak growth rate and up to 60% during peripubertal years.
Therefore, puberty is a crucial period for affecting the quality and peak bone mass. In girls, the bone tissue formed in the age between 11-13 years, approximately equal parts lost during the 30 years following menopause.