Joan Haley is delighted to be a stone heavier, because now she has a better chance of protecting her bones.

When the 79-year-old retired shop worker enrolled on the St. Thomas' Hospital trial she weighed seven and a half stone and was unaware that she suffered from osteoporosis.

I'm relieved I was diagnosed before it was too late

Joan Haley

Better diet

Her GP told her that doctors were looking for underweight women over 70 to see what impact a better diet could have on their bone density.

After enrolling Mrs Haley said she had been given the surprising news that she had osteoporosis herself.

"I was quite surprised as I'd always been quite an active person.

"But I'm relieved I was diagnosed before it was too late.

One in three women are affected by osteoporosis

"Otherwise I might not have been aware of the osteoporosis until I'd fallen and suffered from a broken bone."

With the help of a dietician Mrs Haley was advised to alter her diet to include more protein and calcium rich foods such as chicken and fish.

"I put on about a stone in weight and I felt much better and fitter.

"I don't feel quite as vulnerable now because I know that I can try and do things to help the condition such as eating foods rich in calcium."

Osteoporosis Facts

It causes bones to become brittle and weak It affects one woman in three and one man in 12 It costs the NHS and estimated �900million each year

Mrs Haley was one of seventy-one women who took part in the two and a half year Action Research study which looked into cutting the 60,000 painful and disabling hip fractures suffered in the UK each year.

Monitor

Lead researcher Dr Geeta Hampson, of the department of chemical pathology at St Thomas's Hospital London, said the volunteers were split into two groups.

The control group was given calcium and vitamin D supplements only and the second group of women got dietary advice and increased their protein and calorie intake.

By the end of the year the women in group 2 had gained about 2.5kg and increased their fat and lean mass and their mineral content.

This correlated with a significant reduction in bone loss and an increase in hip bone density.

Dr Hampson, a senior lecture in chemical pathology, said "Now that our findings are positive, we would anticipate applying this in primary care."

Another study in Manchester is now looking into whether children who follow both a healthy diet and take plenty of exercise have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis in later life.