Bone health knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors in adolescent females.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an educational program about osteoporosis will improve knowledge and confidence about osteoporosis prevention, self-efficacy, and self-reported bone-health lifestyle behaviors in adolescent girls.


METHODS
Tests of knowledge, self-efficacy, calcium intake, and physical activity were compared before and after an osteoporosis educational in-service program. The differential effects of intervention, an osteoporosis in-service program versus no intervention, were determined using 2 x 2 analyses of variance.


RESULTS
The intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge (p < 0.01) as well as self-efficacy (p < 0.03) whereas the control group results did not (p > 0.05). Results for calcium intake and exercise were also statistically significant; however, unusual performance trends raise questions related to clinical interpretation of the lifestyle behavior variables.


CONCLUSIONS
An osteoporosis educational in-service can significantly improve knowledge, self-efficacy, and reported calcium consumption in adolescent girls; however, it may not be an adequate intervention to change lifestyle behaviors.
Magee
Julie A
JA
Division of Physical Therapy, American International College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA. jalmagee@comcast.net
Stuberg
Wayne A
WA
Schmutte
Gregory T
GT
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D017145:Models, Educational; D009043:Motor Activity; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy
D002136:Calcium, Dietary