As women age the biggest threat to health can be osteoporosis. This weakening of the bones can lead to falls and fractures. While there are plenty of risk factors for osteoporosis, they are easily divided into ones that you can't change and ones that you could change. This will look at the ones that you are unable to change.

Gender - Women have a higher risk of osteoporosis. They have lower peak bone mass, smaller bones, and they lose bone mass more rapidly than men.

Age - The older you are, the higher your risk of osteoporosis. As you age you develop weaker bones.

Body Size - The taller and thinner you are the higher your risk for osteoporosis.

Race - There is a difference in peak bone mass between the races. Whites and Asians are at more risk while African Americans and Hispanics have less of a risk.

Family History - There are hereditary issues that reduce bone mass.