Osteoporosis has traditionally affected adults. However, it is now considered to be a problem for children with mobility disabilities (Apkon, 2002).

Osteoporosis and risk for falls are secondary conditions for people with disabilities that can be lessened or prevented through early treatment (U.S. Surgeon General's Report, 2005), which makes early detection in children especially important. Over the past decade, researchers have begun paying more attention to the threat of osteoporosis in this new at-risk population.

To read the entire column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/566/2505/Focus~on~Secondary~Condition~Prevention~~~Osteoporosis~
Risk~and~Low~Bone~Mineral~Density~in~Children~with~
Disabilities.