By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Valley residents can have a body mass index assessment included with every bone density test conducted by Australian Bone Density Testing Centre in Wandin and Healesville.
Bone testing will take place at Wandin North Pharmacy on Monday 27 October and Healesville Pharmacy on Tuesday 28 October.
The centre’s medical adviser, Dr Max Holsman, said study findings published in April confirmed that ultrasound bone-density testing was reliable and effective in identifying people at risk of fracture caused by osteoporosis.
“Body mass index readings provide a guide to the healthy weight range important for physical and psychological health and wellbeing,” Dr Holsman said.
He said consultations helped identify risk factors, cover the importance of calcium, vitamin D, exercise and other requirements for lifelong healthy bones and prevention of osteoporosis, along with the importance of good nutrition and regular exercise for overall health.
“Osteoporosis means that bones become thin, fragile and break easily,” Dr Holsman said.
“You can’t feel your bones getting thinner so it’s known as the silent disease.
“In Australia it affects one in three women and increasing numbers of men.”
Dr Holsman said bones reached their peak strength around the age of 25 and from about 35 years of age men as well as men could slowly start to lose bone strength at an estimated 1 per cent a year.
“The outstanding fact is that it is largely preventable and treatable,” Dr Holsman said.
“Today life begins at 50 and we can expect to live well into our 80s.
“To retain quality of life we need a sound mind, a healthy heart and strong bones to carry us around.”
To assess risk of fracture, learn about body mass index and about maintaining overall health, book at Wandin North Pharmacy on 5964 3485 or Healesville Pharmacy on 5962 5845.
For details visit www.bonedensitytesting.com.au
