A cross-sectional survey of calcium intake in relation to knowledge of osteoporosis and beliefs in young adult women

Int J Nurs Pract. 2006 Feb;12(1):21-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2006.00546.x.

Abstract

This investigation found that young adult women (n = 265) were very likely (80.6%) to have accurate knowledge about osteoporosis but also typically had a low calcium intake (454 mg/day). The women in this study believed that they were at risk of osteoporosis but felt that prevention was difficult. Meanwhile, they held the opinion that osteoporosis is not serious and that taking preventative measures would not be worthwhile. The factors that most strongly affected the intake of calcium by women were, in order, knowledge, number of children, self-rated health score, Body Mass Index, graduation from high school, experience of bone density examination and family history. These seven items accounted for 31.8% of the variation in calcium intake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bone Density
  • Calcium, Dietary / administration & dosage*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet Surveys
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / etiology
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / prevention & control*
  • Parity
  • Pregnancy
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taiwan
  • Women* / education
  • Women* / psychology

Substances

  • Calcium, Dietary