Sociodemographic factors associated with calcium intake in premenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe associations between sociodemographic factors and calcium intake in premenopausal women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Population-based.


METHODS
A total of 467 randomly selected, predominantly Caucasian Tasmanian women aged 25-44 y, response rate 63%.


METHODS
calcium intake, sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics, osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy.


RESULTS
Education level, calcium-specific osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy were all independently associated with calcium intake (P<0.05). The odds of achieving the recommended dietary intake for calcium increased with higher levels of calcium-specific self-efficacy and knowledge, and decreased in smokers or if the household's main financial provider was unemployed (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Women who have lower levels of education, who are in households where the main financial provider is unemployed, who are smokers, and those with low levels of calcium-specific self-efficacy and knowledge are at risk of not achieving adequate calcium intake. This information will assist targeting of public health strategies aimed at improving the calcium intake of premenopausal women.
Winzenberg
T M
TM
Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. tania.Winzenberg@utas.edu.au
Riley
M
M
Frendin
S
S
Oldenburg
B
B
Jones
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health
D002136:Calcium, Dietary