President joins osteoporosis prevention campaign

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono participated in a walking campaign for osteoporosis prevention at the National Monument (Monas) square in Jakarta on Sunday.

"It is better to prevent the disease than to treat it," he said in his opening speech. The President started 10,000 people off on a 10,000-step walking race.

Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari said osteoporosis was a silent epidemic because its symptoms were not always apparent except through a medical check.

"The risk of the disease is increasing among Indonesians, who nowadays have a better chance of living longer but consume less calcium than they need," she said.

According to a study released by the ministry in 2006, two out of five Indonesians is at risk of developing osteoporosis. (dre)