title: Social support, knowledge, and self-efficacy as correlates of osteoporosis preventive behaviors among preadolescent females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and test a model based on Bandura's social cognitive theory to predict healthy lifestyle behaviors for the prevention of osteoporosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 354 girls, ages 8-11 years, recruited from area Girl Scout troops. Baseline data from a randomized trial of behavioral interventions are presented. Measures of social support, knowledge, self-efficacy, dietary calcium intake, and weight-bearing physical activity (WBPA) were obtained via interviews and self-administered questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A structural equation model was tested and fit the data well. Family social support, perceived self-efficacy for eating a calcium-rich diet, and knowledge of WBPA significantly predicted calcium intake. Friend and family support for exercise predicted WBPA. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between family support and calcium intake, as confirmed by Holmbeck's post-hoc probing strategy (2002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suggestions are made for primary prevention interventions such as parent and peer involvement, health education, and problem-solving training.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-6038, USA. cievers@aol.com
authors.forename: Carolyn E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ievers-Landis
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burant
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drotar
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Erika S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Trapl
authors.forename: C Kent
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Kwoh
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D016474:Weight-Bearing