Predictors of calcium intake patterns: a longitudinal analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The study was guided by the precaution adoption process model; the author examined factors associated with (a) stage of change with respect to calcium intake at 4 time points and (b) calcium intake patterns across time.


METHODS
Data were collected by mailed questionnaire at baseline and at 3 follow-up assessments over 1 year.


METHODS
The primary outcome measures were calcium intake, stage of change with respect to calcium intake, and pattern of calcium intake across follow-up. Three patterns were identified: successful maintenance (adequate calcium intake at all 3 follow-ups), vacillation (adequate calcium consumption at 1 or 2 follow-ups), and inertia (inadequate calcium consumption at all 3 follow-ups).


RESULTS
Five hundred six women completed baseline questionnaires, and 346 completed 3 follow-up assessments. Even after baseline stage of change was controlled for, longitudinal analyses revealed 3 variables that predicted different patterns of behavior across time. Isolated instances of adequate calcium intake were predicted by higher levels of knowledge and perceived benefits, whereas long-term maintenance was predicted by lower levels of perceived difficulty.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide support for a central premise of the model, that different factors are important at different points in the behavior change process.
Blalock
Susan J
SJ
School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7360, USA. s_blalock@unc.edu
D000328:Adult; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009657:North Carolina; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002136:Calcium, Dietary