Stages of change algorithm for calcium intake by male college students.
Using a sample of college-aged men, we evaluated the validity of a staging algorithm for dairy calcium intake that had been previously validated in a sample of college women. College-aged men enrolled at a private university in the United States were randomly selected to participate. The sample consisted of 180 male participants. Self-reported calcium intake was measured using a 26-item food frequency questionnaire. Stages of change classifications were based on a four-question algorithm for dairy calcium intake and a three-item self-efficacy questionnaire. Significant differences were found between dairy/calcium intake levels between pre-contemplation, contemplation/preparation, and action/maintenance groups. Results also showed that 46% of participants were in the action/maintenance stage. There was a significant difference in self-efficacy between members of the pre-action and action stages. The study suggests that this stage of change algorithm for dairy calcium intake is valid for use in a male college student population.
Snelling
Anastasia M
AM
School of Education, Teaching, and Health, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA. ssnelli@american.edu
Adams
Troy B
TB
Korba
C
C
Tucker
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003611:Dairy Products; D015930:Diet Records; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
D002136:Calcium, Dietary