Dr. Hannan's study, in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research last week, found that men over age 70 who lose 2 or more inches in two years have a 54% higher risk of fracturing a hip in the next two years than men who lose less height.
Elderly women who lose that much height that fast have a 21% higher risk of hip fracture, said the study, which examined data from over 3, 000 adults from the Framingham Heart Study.