Which of the following is a risk factor for osteoporosis?

• A. Female
• B. Regular Exercise
• C. High Body Weight
• D. Young Age

Answer: (A)

Osteoporosis risk is strongly influenced by hormones and how bone mass changes with age. Estrogen helps protect bone, so when a woman goes through menopause and estrogen levels drop, bone loss speeds up and fracture risk increases. That makes being female a clear risk factor. Regular exercise, on the other hand, strengthens bones by providing mechanical loading that stimulates bone formation, so it lowers risk rather than increases it. A higher body weight tends to be protective against osteoporosis because the extra load on bones promotes density, and fat can contribute some estrogen production; this reduces risk rather than increases it. Younger age is not a risk because bone density is higher and bone loss is minimal in youth.