National Osteoporosis Foundation Teams Up With Ladies Home Journal Magazine to Launch a 10-city Mall...( WASHINGTON Sept. 6 -- The Nation...),Health

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) has teamed up with Ladies Home Journal(R) magazine to launch a 10-city tour starting September 8th and culminating on October 20th, World Osteoporosis Day, to encourage individuals across the country to Start Right, Stay Strong for bone health. Each event includes a morning of fitness and fun that offers individuals information on bone health, exercise, and osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Each Start Right, Stay Strong Challenge event kicks off with a fitness expert who will demonstrate easy stretches that are important to do before any exercise. Then, the crowd will take a one-mile bone-building walk around the mall.

Participants will have the opportunity to receive a free heel scan to test their bone mass density from a medical professional. They will also receive NOF's educational materials on osteoporosis and bone health and a gift bag from Ladies Home Journal(R) filled with samples and a Strong Bones Handbook (while supplies last). All walkers will have a chance to win exciting prizes such as a personal training session or health club membership.

"We know that it's important for individuals to build and maintain strong bones at each stage of their life, since fractures that occur later in life are the result of fragile bones," said Felicia Cosman, clinical director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. "Physical activity, such as walking, and good nutrition, including calcium and vitamin D, are crucial for preventing osteoporosis. It's important to note, you are never too old or too young to protect your bones."

The Start Right, Stay Strong Challenge is part of the "Rally with Sally for Bone Health" campaign sponsored by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline. Actress and women's health advocate Sally Field encourages women to take several key steps to help better manage bone health by walking.

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