Cigarettes, alcohol may boost likelihood of fractures in men

But the prospective study has found no association with handgrip strength
Fracture

Eliminating smoking and excess alcohol consumption in teenage males could result in a small, yet significant, reduction in their future risk of fractures, a study suggests.

UK-led researchers have examined whether muscle strength and lifestyle factors are associated with fracture in a prospective study linking data from more than 40,000 military conscripts to a national patient register.

At baseline in 1969-70, most of the men were aged 18, their median alcohol intake was 54g per week (equivalent to about five standard drinks) and 41% described themselves as non-smokers.

Over a median follow-up of 17 years, 3974 men sustained at least one fracture, most of which occurred in the ankle, ribs or distal forearm.