Nutritional Influences on Bone Health

The seventh symposium on “Nutritional Aspects of Osteoporosis” continues to be the primary forum for scientists to focus on the impact of nutrition on bone health in general. Since 1991, the year of the frst symposium, research in this feld has increased impressively and has become an established part of research and science in osteology. This symposium in particular featured many global comparisons in diet and the effect on bone. As Western diet permeates more of the globe and the popu- tion continues to grow, it is meaningful to study the impact of these changes on bone health as diet is one of the few major modifable factors which in turn affects health care costs. Calcium, vitamin D, and acid-base balance continued to dominate the discussion. The symposium offered an opportunity to learn about theories and data in nutritional research concerning bone as well as methodological approaches to cl- sify diets. The proceedings allow the reader to capture the new messages, to analyze thenew scientifc data presented, and to use the book as a source of references in this feld. Peter Burckhardt Bess Dawson-Hughes Connie Weaver v Acknowledgments th This work comprises papers from the 7 International Symposium on Nutritional Aspects of Osteoporosis in 2009 in Lausanne, Switzerland.