What condition is characterized by weak and easily broken bones?

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and more porous, leading to an increased risk of fractures and breaks. This occurs due to a decrease in bone density, often related to factors such as aging, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies, particularly calcium and vitamin D. Because the structural integrity of the bone is compromised, the bones can break much more easily than normal.

In contrast, anemia involves a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood and does not directly affect bone strength. Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints and while it can affect mobility, it doesn't specifically weaken bones. Rickets is a childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency that leads to soft and weak bones, but it manifests differently than osteoporosis and typically occurs in growing bones rather than bones that have already formed. Thus, osteoporosis specifically describes the condition of weak and easily broken bones in adults.