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Natural Science Seminar Examines Osteoporosis in the Latino Community

The Seaver College Natural Science division seminar series continues with a talk by Steven A. Hawkins, associate professor of exercise science at California Lutheran University. His lecture, "Osteoporosis: Relevant to Latino Communities?" will examine the condition in which bone tissue and bone density thins over time at 12 noon on Wednesday, Mar. 10, in room 130 of the Keck Science Center on the Malibu campus.  

Studies show that Latinos are particularly vulnerable to osteoporosis, with more than 33 percent of Latinas over 50 years of age diagnosed as having the disease. As a result, research also indicates the incidence of hip fractures among Latinos in California has doubled over the last 25 years. For those over 50 who suffer a hip fracture, about 20-25 percent die within the next year and many more will never live independently again.

"Dr. Hawkins is involved in a study looking at Latino women in Ventura County and their risk of osteoporosis," explains Michael Feltner, professor of sports medicine at Pepperdine. "The focus on Latinas is because studies show they have a diet that is low in calcium, thus putting them at greater risk for developing osteoporosis.

Hawkins' other research focuses primarily on musculoskeletal aspects of aging. This has included projects investigating bone changes in response to acute and chronic exercise in older subjects, and bone differences among various ethnic groups. He has also been involved in projects investigating skeletal muscle changes in response to acute and chronic exercise, as well as hormonal supplementation in older subjects.

The osteoporosis expert joined the Exercise Science Department at CLU in the Fall of 2007 moving from the Kinesiology and Nutritional Science department at CSU Los Angeles where he had taught since Fall 1999. In addition, he has an adjunct appointment in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC where he has taught graduate level physiology courses since 2002.

Hawkins earned his bachelor and master of science degrees at Emporia State University in Kansas and his Ph.D. at USC in exercise physiology and aging. Hawkins is a member of many scholarly organizations including the Southwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, of which he is currently the president, the American Physiological Society, and the Gerontological Society.

The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information and a full series schedule, visit the Natural Science Seminar Series Web site.