Which change is commonly associated with aging in terms of bone health?

The change commonly associated with aging in terms of bone health is the loss of bone mass. As individuals age, bone remodeling processes become imbalanced, where bone resorption (the process of breaking down bone tissue) occurs at a faster rate than bone formation. This leads to a decrease in the density and strength of bones, making them more susceptible to fractures and osteoporosis. Factors contributing to this loss of bone mass include hormonal changes, particularly the decrease in estrogen in postmenopausal women, reduced physical activity, and nutritional deficiencies.

In contrast, increased bone density would imply a stronger bone structure, which is not typically observed in the aging population. A decrease in muscle strength is related more to muscle mass and function rather than directly to bone health. Improved muscle elasticity is also not linked with aging bones, as aging generally leads to decreased elasticity in both muscle and connective tissues. Therefore, loss of bone mass is the most relevant and significant change related to bone health as people age.