Iseler J, Perkins J, Mostrom E, Brookins-Fisher J. jan.perkins@cmich.edu.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors concerning osteoporosis of 18 to 30 year old college undergraduate women. Earlier research on a similar population had shown poor knowledge and behaviors. An additional purpose was to compare the results of women with health related majors to those without health related majors. METHODS: A volunteer sample of 221 women enrolled in undergraduate courses at a Midwestern university completed surveys during class sessions. The instrument used was validated by previous researchers and used with their permission. ANALYSIS: Results were entered into a database by one researcher and analyzed with SPSS. Frequency distributions for each variable were developed. Independent t-tests were used for groups comparisons except for differences in responses related to majors. A one-way ANOVA, followed by post-hoc t-tests, was used to compare women with health related majors, those with non-health related majors, and those who were undecided on a major. RESULTS: There were 192 adequately completed surveys which met age criteria. Mean age of respondents was 20.8 years. The majority of women were able to identify key risk factors for osteoporosis such as family history (93.7%), diet low in calcium (93.7%), being post-menopausal (71.4%), and having an early or surgically induced menopause (58.8%). Only 47.4% of all women reported getting adequate amounts of osteoprotective exercise (defined as more than 180 minutes of moderately strenuous or strenuous exercise in 2 weeks). Significantly more women with health related majors than non-health related majors reported adequate osteoprotective exercise (P = 0.039). Only 13.5% of women met the dietary standard of 1200mg of calcium daily. When adequate calcium intake and exercise were combined only 6.3% of women reported adequate amounts of both protective activities, very similar to that seen in previous studies. CONCLUSION: Our sample of women demonstrated reasonable knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors, but did not demonstrate good osteoprotective behaviors. Women with health-related majors reported significantly more physical activity but did not have better calcium intake than women without health related majors, and did not demonstrate better protective behavior when diet was combined with calcium. Education strategies that can affect behavior as well as knowledge are needed. FUNDING SOURCE: Graduate Student Research & Creative Endeavors Grant, Central Michigan University. Researcher potential for material gain: none.

Copyright 2004 by the American Physical Therapy Association

Reprint Information
Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Students and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Similar inquiries by all others should be made to the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.