Press Release

Work for the quality healthy bone life for our ageing population says health experts in Bone and Joint Week

Work for the quality healthy bone life for our ageing population says health experts in Bone and Joint Week

6^th October 2022, New Delhi:  The ASSOCHAM CSR Council, as part of the ILLNESS TO WELLNESS campaign, held a webinar on "Moving well, living well" to commemorate Bone and Joint Week 2022. The webinar's primary goals were to raise public awareness and disseminate comprehensive knowledge about Bones and Joints. 

The human body's bones and joints are extremely important for both structural support and general movement. These days, all age groups, but primarily the elderly, are affected by the issue of joint discomfort and weak bones. One of the most prevalent issues that millions of individuals throughout the world deal with is backache, joint pain, and other related disorders. Every year in the third week of October, there is a week-long event called Bone and Joint Health National Action Week, which focuses on musculoskeletal disorders' causes and prevention.

In his opening remarks, Shri Anil Rajput, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM CSR Council said, “our bones are one of the most critical components in the body and we must take good care of ourselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle by having an ideal weight, keeping active and consuming a balanced diet for sound bone health.”

Talking about ageing and its association with increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, Mr Rajput highlighted that India is home to around 139 million people aged 60 years and above and it is projected to increase to 319 million in 2050. “Given the burgeoning population in this age group, we must create awareness on ailments affecting bones and joints and ways to prevent them”, he added.

Dr. Ramkinkar Jha, Chief & Unit Head, Orthopaedics (Unit-III), Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, shared his insights on how to maintain bone quality with a diet high in vitamin D, eggs, cheese, soy, omega 3 fatty acids, fish, and to include more protein sources in meals. He also discussed changing one's lifestyle to lose weight and prevent minor injuries. Getting a bone density test is a must to find out if you have osteoporosis, a condition marked by more brittle and easily broken bones, he said. 

The main cause of decreased bone density, according to Dr. Mukesh Shanker, clinical consultant, Fortis Hospital Noida, is low calcium consumption. He continued by saying that in order for muscles, tendons, and nerves to work effectively, bones must maintain the body's structural integrity. As 90% of calcium is stored in bones for additional bodily functions, he continued, "it is a storehouse of calcium."

In his moderation, Dr. Rajesh Kesari, Founder and Director Total Care Control, Delhi – NCR EC Member, RSSDI stated that life is all about moving and without any movement, no task can be done easily. Bones are responsible for muscular skeletal system and some lifestyle choices can increase the risk of osteoporosis if precautions are not taken. He stresses on Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis.