A new survey conducted this week by TOTAL Greek Yoghurt into Osteoporosis awareness has found that there is a shocking lack of understanding about this crippling disease. 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men in the UK over the age of 50 will suffer from osteoporosis, yet only 8% of women and 2% men say they are concerned about the risks of this condition. For many people the first sign they suffer from osteoporosis is when they fracture a bone, which explains why it’s called the silent disease. Worryingly, only 2.5% of respondents were aware of the extent of the problem, implying that the majority of people have no idea about the prevalence or dangers associated with Osteoporosis.
The research, which coincides with National Osteoporosis month (June) found that 65% of those questioned were aware that diet could affect bone health. However, there was little appreciation of how other lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol can damage bones. Alarmingly, 5% of those questioned had no idea what damaged their bones, with just over half the respondents aware that excessive alcohol consumption was a risk (52%).
Although most people (98% respondents) knew that calcium was important for strong bones, few knew how many servings of dairy products adults need to eat to achieve the recommended daily amount of calcium. (69% were unaware that 3 portions of dairy are required daily)
More than a third of respondents incorrectly identified vitamin C (38%) and vitamin B (36%) as vital compounds of strong bones, whilst one in four Brits mistakenly believed that fibre contributed to healthy bones (27%). Shockingly, 1% of the adult nation claim to have no idea what helps to build strong bones, which equates to c466,000 UK adults.
Regionally, residents in the East of the country are the most concerned by osteoporosis (11%), while in Northern Ireland, none of the respondents claimed to be concerned about the disease.
“Calcium is essential for strong healthy bones but the results show that a worryingly high number of people were unaware that they need to eat 3 servings of dairy a day to reach the recommended daily amount of calcium. TOTAL Greek Yoghurt is a valuable source of easily absorbable calcium with one 150g pot providing between one fifth and one sixth of the Recommended Daily Amount. “
Fiona Hunter BSc (Hons) Dip Dietetics, Consultant Nutritionist.
Total survey sample base: 1712. Survey conducted: 17/04/07 – 26/04/07
Laura Darke
FAGE UK PR & Marketing Executive
Email: PR@totalgreekyoghurt.com
Editor’s Notes:
Osteoporosis literally means porous bones. Our bones are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh filled with collagen, calcium and other minerals. Osteoporosis occurs when calcium is lost from the bones, making them fragile, brittle and more susceptible to breaking.
About FAGE UK:
FAGE UK Limited, is a subsidiary of Greek - owned parent group FAGE DAIRY INDUSTRIES. Today FAGE’s yoghurts and cheese are enjoyed in 25 countries internationally and are found in 20,000 retail outlets in four continents.
FAGE DAIRY INDUSTRIES has one of the most modern dairy production facilities in Europe, based outside Athens. Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology FAGE has the capacity to process 50,000 litres of milk per hour and 500 million pots of TOTAL Greek Yoghurt annually.
Products from the FAGE range, available from stores nationwide include, TOTAL Greek Yoghurt, TOTAL 0% Greek yoghurt, TOTAL 2% Greek Yoghurt, TOTAL with Honey Split pot, TOTAL 2% with Honey Split Pot, Tzatziki Dip, Sheep & Goats’ Milk Yoghurt and Feta Cheese.