It has been reported that experts see an inevitable epidemic of bone fractures in America, most of which are preventable through diet and exercise.  So, doctors are developing a five year risk factor model to help predict these fractures.

The 11 factors that help predict hip fractures within five years are: age, self-reported health, weight, height, race/ethnicity, self-reported physical activity, history of fracture after age 54, parental history of hip fracture, current smoking, current corticosteroid use and treated diabetes.

Unfortunately, their solution is drugs.

"This gives us a way to pinpoint which women need aggressive preventative therapy," said Paul Brandt, an associate professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine in College Station.

Realistically, there are simple everyday things we can do to prevent weakened bones and fractures.  Eating a healthy diet of fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, excercising everyday, and supplementing with calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D is a great place to start.

Unfortunately, the general population would rather take a pill than do that.