Every time a child takes a soft drink, is he laying the groundwork for a dangerous bone disease? Fizzy and sugary drinks don't cause osteoporosis but, because they are often a substitute for a glass of milk, children miss out on taking in the calcium and vitamin D they need to build a strong skeleton. Many of them also lead a sedentary lifestyle, so they aren't getting the bone-building benefits of vigorous exercise either. These children tend to suffer from brittle bones and fractures later on in life. In addition, they could be at a risk of being diagnosed with osteoporosis at an earlier age than most others.

Osteoporosis starts in childhood, but its consequences are apparent at a later stage in life. This condition causes bones to become riddled with holes, like the framework of a house that's has been attacked by termites. This can lead to broken bones, which in turn, can cause deformity, chronic pain, and disability. Osteoporosis can be fatal: up to 25 percent of older people who suffer a broken hip die within a year. Osteoporosis isn't just your grandmother's health threat. Although it strikes over 50 million women in India, it also menaces over 12 million men.

It is important to save millions of people from the risk of suffering from osteoporosis by adopting preventive measures like walking, jogging or skipping. Getting enough sunlight, and adequate calcium, especially through fruits, vegetables and fermented dairy products also helps.