IAEA/RCA Project Progress Review Meeting (PRM) on the 'Prevention of Osteoporosis and Promotion of Bone Mass in Asian Population using a Food-based Approach' will be held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 15-17 January 2007 in cooperation with the Government of Thailand through Mahidol University.

The background of this project is that osteoporosis, and the resulting increase in bone fractures, is a major public health problem worldwide, in particular in postmenopausal women. Strategies to prevent and delay the development of osteoporosis are therefore urgently needed. Bone mineral density in postmenopausal women is influenced by peak bone mass attained during childhood/adolescence and by bone loss during later life. Public health strategies to prevent and/or delay the onset of osteoporosis should therefore focus on children, in particular girls, and postmenopausal women. The overall objective of this regional project is to evaluate food based approaches to prevent osteoporosis and promote bone mass in Asian populations.

Genotype and racial differences are potentially important factors to explain differences in fracture incidence between regions. However, the etiology of osteoporosis is multifactorial and "life style" factors such as diet, physical activity and smoking are all important in the prevention of osteoporosis. For example, dietary modification and physical activity have been demonstrated to be effective strategies to maximize peak bone mass during childhood and adolescence. Accordingly, the Project Progress Review Meeting will discuss and analyse the output of the ongoing project and discuss action plan for future.

For further information, contact Ms. Prapaisiri Sirichakwal at nupsr@mahidol.ac.th.