At about what age does bone resorption generally begin to occur more rapidly than bone formation?
10
20
30
40
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is 30.
Bone resorption begins to outpace bone formation around the age of 30, a critical point in skeletal development and aging. Bone remodeling is a lifelong process, involving the continuous breakdown (resorption) and rebuilding (formation) of bone tissue. During youth and early adulthood, bone formation exceeds resorption, leading to bone mass increase. This is especially evident during adolescence when bone growth is rapid, helping to reach peak bone mass.
However, by around the age of 30, the balance between bone formation and resorption shifts. Although bone continues to be remodeled throughout life, the rate of resorption increases as a person ages, especially after this threshold. As resorption outpaces formation, there is a gradual loss of bone mass, which can lead to conditions like osteoporosis over time.
This change is largely due to hormonal shifts, especially a decline in sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which help regulate bone turnover. Estrogen, in particular, has a protective effect on bone density, and its decrease after menopause in women leads to more significant bone loss. In men, a gradual decline in testosterone levels can also contribute to slower bone formation and increased resorption after the age of 30.
Factors like diet, physical activity, and genetics play a role in how much bone mass a person retains over their lifetime. Regular weight-bearing exercise and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake can help slow the rate of bone loss, maintaining skeletal health as people age.