title: Importance of Self-Efficacy and Knowledge to Physical Activity Behavior in Older African Americans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regular physical activity is an important lifestyle behavior for preventing or reducing the burden of osteoporosis, and for promoting optimal bone health. This report evaluates the effect of an osteoporosis education program on knowledge, self-efficacy, and initiation and/maintenance of physical activity (PA) in older African Americans.
  
  
  METHODS
  African American adults 50 years and older (n=130) were randomly assigned to either experimental (EG) or control (CG) groups. Immediately following baseline assessment EG was offered six-weekly education sessions, using the Expanded Heath Belief Model and the CG offered same after the intervention. Main outcome measures were knowledge and self-efficacy regarding osteoporosis and engagement in PA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and ten (59=EG, 51=CG) participants completed all assessments. Overall, significantly higher (p&lt;.01) mean self-efficacy and knowledge scores were observed in the EG than in the CG. Physical activity scores were positively related to self-efficacy but not knowledge scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-efficacy is important in increasing PA in older African Americans, and emphasis on culturally appropriate strategies may improve PA and reduce the risk of osteoporotic fracture.
authors.forename: Oyinlola Toyin
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Babatunde
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires