When bones become less dense, which condition might develop?

Osteoporosis is a condition that develops when bones become less dense, leading to an increased risk of fractures. This decrease in bone density is often due to a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies (particularly calcium and vitamin D), and age. As bones lose their density, they become more fragile and can break more easily from minor falls or stresses that would normally not affect healthy bones.

In contrast, osteoarthritis primarily affects the joints and is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage rather than bone density. Pressure ulcers are localized injuries to the skin and/or underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure, while dehydration relates to a deficiency of water in the body and does not directly involve bone density. Therefore, the connection between reduced bone density and osteoporosis makes it the correct answer for the condition that might develop in this scenario.