Osteoporosis prevention in college women: application of the expanded health belief model.
OBJECTIVE
To examine personal characteristics and expanded health belief model (EHBM) constructs associated with the practice of osteoporosis-protective behaviors among a random sample of nontraditional college women.


METHODS
A valid and reliable written mail questionnaire assessing osteoporosis knowledge, EHBM constructs, weight-bearing exercise (EX), and dietary calcium intake (CA) was completed by 273 women.


RESULTS
A high proportion of women did not meet current guidelines for EX (50.7%) or CA (67.8%). Exercise self-efficacy and barriers to exercise were the best predictors of overall EX and CA behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
The EHBM was useful in predicting EX and CA.
Wallace
Lorraine Silver
LS
Department of Family Medicine, The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville 37920, USA. lwallace@mc.utmck.edu
D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health
D002118:Calcium