MICHELLE Bridges is best known for helping Australians battle the bulge on The Biggest Loser, but now she has osteoporosis in her sights..
The health and wellness coach has been announced as an ambassador for Osteoporosis Australia's Know Your Bones campaign.
Know Your Bones is an online self-assessment tool which helps people understand and assess their risk of developing osteoporosis or low bone density and to take action if necessary.
For those aged 50 years and above, the tool also provides a fracture risk estimate over five years and ten years.
Michelle will raise community awareness of Know Your Bones, which has been developed by Osteoporosis Australia and the Garvan Institute.
The assessment tool reviews age, history of fracture and medical and lifestyle factors, providing individual reports which can be taken to the doctor.
Michelle said taking action to understand risk factors could prevent many unwanted fractures in Australia.
"My message is simple - your bone health is an important part of your overall health, so check your bone health today," she said.
She said if a person had known risk factors for poor bone health, it was important to talk to a doctor.
Did you know?
- An estimated 1.2 million Australians are living with osteoporosis and 6.3 million have low bone density.
- Osteoporosis affects women and men and occurs when bones lose density and quality, weakening the skeleton.
- Osteoporosis can affect any bone, and fractures occur most often in the hip, spine, wrist, ribs and pelvis.
- Once a bone fractures due to osteoporosis, the risk of breaking another bone increases significantly.
To complete an assessment and receive an individual report, click here.