title: Osteoporosis prevention behaviors practiced among youth in Taichung City, Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes of adolescents on osteoprotective practices in Taichung City, Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using convenience sampling, 329 students from randomly selected high schools and colleges were recruited to respond  to a 58-item questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents had significantly higher overall osteoprotective behavior practice scores than those of young adults (P<0.001). Those self-described as healthy had significantly higher osteoprotective behavior scores. Younger participants had significantly  higher scores regarding osteoprotective behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young people in Taiwan have moderate knowledge about osteoporosis and do practice osteoprotective behaviors, but infrequently. Osteoporosis knowledge and attitudes are not associated with osteoprotective behaviors.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shu-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ruey-Hsia
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mei Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult