The objectives of the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study (EPOS) are to identify the causes of the current epidemic of hip and spine fractures affecting Europe and most other continents, with the possible exception of sub-Saharan Africa [1]. They cause much suffering and cost each family in the EU about 60 Ecu/ year. It is highly desirable to identify risk factors for future fracture which could be used to test hypotheses as to the causes and prevention of osteoporosis in individual patients and to design effective lifestyle or other interventions for testing in vulnerable populations. Not all Europeans are equally vulnerable to osteoporosis; recent data suggest that rates are low in Turkey [2]