ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the distribution of prevalence rate of osteoporosis in the middle - aged and elderly in parts of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured and questionnaires were taken for 5593 people aged above 40 years in five administrative areas in China selected by the stratified - multi - steps - cluster sampling method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total prevalence rate of osteoporosis was 16.1%. The prevalence rate among males was 11.5% and among females was 19.9% (P < 0.01). There were also osteoporosis prevalence differences among cities, age groups, gender groups and areas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis are very important for females but also should not be ignored in males.</p>