IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Nuclear Techniques to Measure Calcium Bioavailability and Bone Mass Density will be held in 20-24 February 2006 in Hong Kong, China. The training course will provide latest information on how nuclear techniques can contribute to human health, particularly for preventing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, and the resulting increase in bone fractures, is a major public health problem worldwide, in particular in post- menopausal women. Strategies to prevent and delay the development of osteoporosis are therefore urgently needed. 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, smoking etc are all important factors 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. RCA Member States with the financial and technical support from IAEA have been carrying out a project to evaluate food based approaches to prevent osteoporosis and promote bone mass in Asian populations.

The objectives of the February 2006 training course in Hong Kong within the framework of IAEA/RCA human health project on 'Prevention of Osteoporosis and Promotion of Bone Mass in Asian Population using a Food-based Approach' are to strengthening human capacity in the use of nuclear techniques to measure calcium bioavailability and bone mass density to develop and evaluate nutrition programs focusing on the prevention of osteoporosis.

For further contact, Dr Warren T K Lee at wtklee@chhk.hk and w.t.lee@surrey.ac.uk