Boston, MA — Who’s in danger of getting osteoporosis? A new report from Harvard Medical School, Osteoporosis: A guide to prevention and treatment, includes a discussion to help you gauge your risk:

What is your sex? Women are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. How old are you? Time alone increases the risk for osteoporosis. What is your body type? Small-boned, thin people tend to have lower bone density. Have you broken a bone as an adult? Did a relative? Adults who have broken a bone or whose first-degree family members have had fractures are at greater risk. What ethnicity are you? Risk is highest among Caucasian and Asian women and Caucasian men. How much estrogen or testosterone do you have? Estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men fall with age, increasing osteoporosis risk. Do you get enough calcium? Lack of calcium in your diet — as well as conditions that may interfere with calcium absorption — means less calcium in the blood. The body compensates by taking calcium from the bones, weakening them. Are you active? When bones are at rest, formation of new bone slows. Do you smoke? Smokers tend to lose bone faster than nonsmokers. Do you drink heavily? Heavy alcohol use can reduce bone mass. Do you take any medications that harm bones? Glucocorticoids, antiseizure medications, cyclosporine A, and excessive thyroid hormones can contribute to bone loss. Do you have a medical condition that affects bone mass? Marfan’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, anorexia, certain cancers, and liver disease are among the conditions that may increase your risk.