Researchers discovered that adult children of older parents who break their hip bones are at high risk for weak bones themselves. In this study, 60 adult children (average age 62) whose parents had hip fractures were screened for bone health. The results showed that 40% of them had bone weakness serious enough to need treatment, and 85% didn’t have enough vitamin D. This finding suggests that if your parent breaks their hip from a fall, you should get your bones checked starting around age 50, even if you feel fine. Early detection could help prevent fractures later in your life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adult children of older parents who broke their hip bones should be screened for weak bones (osteoporosis) before they break something themselves
  • Who participated: 60 adult children (average age 62) whose parents (average age 83) had recently broken their hip bones from low-energy falls. One child had already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and nine had experienced major fractures before.
  • Key finding: Nearly 4 out of every 10 adult children (40%) had bone weakness serious enough to meet treatment guidelines. Additionally, 85% had low vitamin D levels, which is important for bone health.
  • What it means for you: If your parent broke their hip bone, you should consider getting your bones checked around age 50. Early detection may help you prevent fractures and take steps to strengthen your bones before problems develop.

The Research Details

Researchers recruited older patients (age 70+) who had recently broken their hip bones from simple falls. They then invited the adult children of these patients to participate in bone health screening. Each adult child completed a medical history, had blood tests done, and took a special bone density test called FRAX that predicts fracture risk. The researchers used standard medical guidelines to determine who needed treatment based on their fracture risk scores.

This approach is called a ‘real-world screening study’ because it looked at actual patients in clinical practice rather than a controlled laboratory setting. The study lasted 12 months and enrolled 189 older patients, of whom 183 were eligible. Sixty of their adult children agreed to participate in the screening.

This study design is important because it shows whether screening adult children of hip fracture patients is practical and worthwhile in real medical settings. Rather than just studying the disease in a lab, researchers looked at actual patients and their families to see if this screening approach could catch bone problems early.

The study included a reasonable number of participants and used established medical guidelines (AACE) to determine treatment needs. However, only 60 adult children participated out of the 183 eligible older patients, which means some families chose not to participate. The study was conducted over 12 months in what appears to be a single location, so results may not apply equally to all populations. The researchers measured vitamin D levels and used a validated fracture risk calculator (FRAX), which strengthens the reliability of findings.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that 40% of the adult children screened had bone weakness serious enough to meet treatment guidelines. This is a notably high percentage and suggests that children of hip fracture patients are indeed at elevated risk. The study also found that 85% of participants had insufficient vitamin D levels—meaning their bodies didn’t have enough of this important nutrient for bone health.

When researchers looked at vitamin D supplementation, they found that people taking supplements had higher vitamin D levels in their blood, which is what you’d expect. This suggests that vitamin D supplementation could help address this common deficiency in this high-risk group.

Interestingly, only one person in the study had been previously diagnosed with osteoporosis before this screening, even though 40% met treatment thresholds. This means many people with significant bone weakness didn’t know they had a problem—exactly why early screening is valuable.

Nine of the 60 adult children (15%) reported having experienced major fractures in the past. This personal history of fractures is another sign of increased bone fragility. The average age of adult children was 62 years, which is still relatively young to have significant bone problems, highlighting how family history can increase risk at younger ages.

Previous research has shown that having a parent with a hip fracture increases your own fracture risk, but this study provides practical evidence that screening this group is worthwhile. The high percentage of people meeting treatment thresholds (40%) is notably higher than what you’d expect in the general population of similar age, confirming that family history is a strong risk factor. The vitamin D insufficiency rate of 85% aligns with other research showing widespread vitamin D deficiency in middle-aged and older adults.

The study had several limitations worth noting. Only 60 adult children participated, which is a relatively small group. We don’t know if the families who participated were different from those who declined, which could affect the results. The study was conducted in one location over 12 months, so results may not apply equally to all geographic areas or populations. Additionally, the study didn’t follow participants over time to see if early screening and treatment actually prevented fractures—it only showed who met treatment thresholds at one point in time.

The Bottom Line

If your parent has broken their hip bone, consider getting a bone density screening starting around age 50. This recommendation has moderate confidence based on this study’s findings. Ask your doctor about bone health testing and vitamin D levels. If you’re found to have low bone density, discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider. Ensure adequate vitamin D intake through diet, supplements, or sun exposure, as 85% of this high-risk group had insufficient levels.

This finding is most relevant for adults aged 50 and older whose parents have experienced hip fractures. It’s particularly important for those with additional risk factors like previous fractures, low body weight, or limited physical activity. People with a family history of osteoporosis should also pay attention. However, this doesn’t mean everyone needs screening—talk with your doctor about your individual risk factors.

Bone density changes happen slowly over years and decades. You won’t see dramatic changes in weeks or months. If you start treatment or lifestyle changes based on screening results, it typically takes 1-2 years to see meaningful improvements in bone density. The real benefit comes from preventing fractures over the next 10-20 years of your life.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your vitamin D supplementation daily and record your vitamin D blood test results every 6-12 months. Set reminders for bone health appointments and screening tests every 1-2 years if you’re in a high-risk group.
  • If you have a parent with a hip fracture, use the app to schedule a bone density screening appointment with your doctor. Set daily reminders to take vitamin D supplements if recommended. Log weight-bearing exercises (walking, dancing, strength training) which help maintain bone strength.
  • Create a long-term tracking system that records bone density test results over time, vitamin D levels, calcium intake, exercise frequency, and any falls or fractures. Set annual reminders to discuss bone health with your healthcare provider and track medication adherence if prescribed.

This research suggests that adult children of parents with hip fractures should consider bone health screening, but it is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. The study shows associations and risk factors but does not prove that screening prevents fractures in all cases. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions about bone health screening, testing, or treatment. Individual risk factors vary, and your doctor can best determine whether screening is appropriate for you based on your complete medical history, age, and other risk factors. This information is for educational purposes and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment.