Screening shows Malaysians at increased risk of poor bone health

A nationwide mobility screening encompassing ultrasound bone scan and muscle strength test revealed that 50 percent of adults aged 45 and above were at risk of poor bone health while 1-in-3 had weak muscle strength. The 1-year Anlene^TM Mobility Check assessed more than 20,000 Malaysians aged 19 and above.

“Results from the mobility check highlights a concerning trend of low awareness among Malaysians towards the significance of bone health, emphasizing the pressing need to tackle mobility-related risks in our nation,” said Ganesh Thiagarajan, General Manager of Fonterra Brands Malaysia and Singapore. Promoting preventive measures against osteoporosis can significantly reduce its prevalence within the population. One way to ensure individuals stay active as long as they can is to enable them to proactively embrace the vitality of their bones, joints and muscles, said Ganesh.

Dr Paisal Hussin, consultant orthopedic surgeon, explained that osteoporosis is a widespread health concern, silently affecting a significant portion of the population. The prevalence of osteoporosis is projected to be higher in Asia, including Malaysia, due to the rapidly ageing population. In fact, Malaysia is projected to have the highest increase in total number of hip fractures by 2050. [Osteoporos Sarcopenia 2018;4(1):16–21] This is a direct consequence of osteoporosis, a condition caused by weakened bones that are more prone to fractures, particularly in the hip area, said Paisal.

Paisal added: “To maintain strong and healthy bones, the body naturally undergoes a constant process known as bone remodelling, where old bones are replaced with new bone tissues. This process occurs throughout our lives. However, with ageing, this process can become less efficient, and bone may start to deteriorate from as early as 30s. Women in the menopausal transitional period may experience rapid bone loss, where up to 20 percent of bone density may be lost.” Nevertheless, bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis is preventable by taking proactive steps to strengthen bones from a young age, he said.

Lifestyle choices for optimal bone, joint and muscle health require both regular exercise as well as a balanced diet, said Liew Yen Lee, Assistant Nutrition Manager, Fonterra Brands Malaysia. “Engaging in regular exercise not only promotes strong bones but also strengthens the muscles that support them. Pairing this with a balanced diet that is rich in calcium, vitamin D, protein, and other crucial nutrients is equally important,” said Yen Lee.

A study on postmenopausal women in Southeast Asia indicates that drinking two glasses of fortified milk containing essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, daily can help reduce bone breakdown within 4 weeks. Fortified milk was shown to significantly reduce the percentage of women whose vitamin D levels were below 50 nmol/L in 4 months. Also, serum parathyroid hormone levels, which is a marker for serum calcium levels, were significantly reduced by week 2 of fortified milk supplementation. [Bone 2010;46(3):759–767] Additionally, another study highlighted that incorporating milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) into the diet and coupled with regular exercise, can help improve muscle strength after 4 weeks. [Nutr J 2015;14:85]