Osteoporosis knowledge, beliefs, and practices among adolescent females
Received 8 September 2003; accepted 11 March 2004.
Abstract
Purpose
To assess knowledge, beliefs, and practices of osteoporosis risk factors (physical activity, smoking, and nutrition) among adolescent girls.
Methods
Questionnaires consisting of items assessing knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding physical activity, calcium intake, and cigarette smoking were administered to 227 girls aged 12–16 years. The adolescent girls were attending public and separate schools in a small-sized Canadian city. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data.
Results
Female adolescents believed that physical inactivity, smoking, and inadequate calcium were health-risking behaviors and osteoporosis risk factors, however, specific in-depth knowledge regarding these risk factors was lacking. Findings further showed that health-risking behaviors were evident, as 25% were current smokers, 58% consumed less than the adequate intake for calcium, and 52% had scores that reflected low to moderate physical activity levels.
Conclusion
These results highlight the need for educational interventions to promote specific osteo-protective practices among adolescent girls.
College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Address correspondence to: Kristal Anderson, 87 Campus Drive, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B2, Canada.
ABSTRACT