Love Island star Zara McDermott, 28, has turned heads this week thanks to her very public display of affection with newly confirmed boyfriend Louis Tomlinson in sun-soaked Costa Rica. 

The loved-up images come a fortnight after the pair went Instagram official, five months after the Love Island beauty split with her radio presenter boyfriend, Sam Thompson. 

In the new images, taken at the Ocean-fronted Banana Beach restaurant, Ms McDermott can be seen looking enviably fit and toned in a strappy top.

However, what some fans may not be aware of is the agonising body battle that the presenter has faced for at least two years. 

It was just 18 months ago that Ms McDermott shared images of herself hospitalised following a procedure to repair damage to her bones caused by the debilitating condition osteoporosis. 

In December 2023, she shared Instagram posts revealing that despite the operation, doctors warned she would likely need further procedures involving metal screws and plate to fuse leg bones back together, following a tibia fracture.

Osteoporosis, which affects 3.5million people in the UK, makes bones fragile and more likely to break.

The condition develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break. 

Nearly two-thirds of sufferers are women. 

While the condition can be caused by the wear and tear of ageing, it is also triggered by poor diet, including a lack of bone-boosting calcium. 

If untreated, osteoporosis can prove deadly, as bone breakages and fractures lead patients to encounter multiple hospital stays and exposed to potentially dangerous infections.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates 2,500 die every year from preventable hip fractures.

Ms McDermott revealed her diagnosis in November 2023, telling fans she had the ‘early signs’ of the disease.  

‘I recently found out I have early signs of developing osteoporosis (my mum and nan both have it!) so I started making switches to get more calcium in my diet,’ she said in an Instagram clip. 

Zara and Louis, 33, were spotted sharing a passionate kiss amid their romantic getaway in sun-soaked Costa Rica on Sunday  

The Love Island star was previously told by doctors that it was likely she would need further surgery to help the healing process, but revealed there is now evidence of healing (pictured in hospital in December) 

Hoping to recover in the most natural way possible, the star wants to avoid surgery and is instead going to opt for crutches and a boot to take the pressure off her foot instead

In the most recent update about her condition, posted to Instagram in March last year, Ms McDermott said her tibia fracture was healing.

‘The good news is that there is some small evidence of healing! Yay!’, she shared.

‘However, the bone surrounding the fracture is under a lot of tension/pressure… whatever that means.

‘Surgery is still an option, but I’ve opted for the most natural route which is to try and help it heal on its own,’ she added. 

Ms McDermott was fitted for a boot and used crutches for the next few months to give her body time to heal. 

She said: ‘I’ve had to pull out of a few work things over the next few weeks, because I know I need to prioritise my leg healing, but I’m hoping this is the beginning of the end now.’ 

Treatment for osteoporosis is usually based on treating and preventing fractures, as well as taking medication to strengthen weak bones.

Whilst surgery is sometimes necessary, the NHS lists a number of steps osteoporosis sufferers can taken to keep their bones healthy. 

In March 2024, Zara asked her fans for help as she revealed the stress fracture wasn’t healing and had been advised she might need further surgery

 This includes regular exercise to keep bones as strong as possible, eating a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and making lifestyle changes such as cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking. 

The NHS also recommends taking a daily supplement containing 10mg of vitamin D.

The star has previously spoken out on Instagram about the benefits of weight training, which she has been doing for over three years now, claiming that it can ‘aid in bone health and reduce the risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis’.

Recent figures show that without government action, to introduce more fracture clinics, those with osteoporosis will suffer 74,000 preventable fractures by 2030, including 31,000 life-threatening hip fractures.