Knowledge, beliefs, and practices among adolescent females regarding lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis
Abstract
While adult women are aware of the relationship between lifestyle practices and the
prevention of osteoporosis, this awareness and subsequent practice is not known in the
adolescent population. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate knowledge,
beliefs, and practices regarding osteoporosis lifestyle risk factors among the
adolescent female population. A second purpose was to determine whether
knowledge, beliefs, and practices would vary according to socio-economic status
(SES). A third purpose was to assess whether lifestyle practices would cluster
together. Two hundred twenty seven females aged 12- 16 of high and low SES were
randomly selected to participate in this study. Knowledge and beliefs toward
osteoporosis lifestyle risk factors- physical activity, cigarette smoking, and nutrition
were evaluated using a reliable questionnaire developed for this study. To assess
physical activity, smoking, and nutrition, other reliable and valid questionnaires were
used. Results indicated that adolescent females believed that an inactive lifestyle and
inadequate calcium intake would predispose them to osteoporosis, although they were
unaware that cigarette smoking is a risk factor. The majority of participants were also
unable to identify specific activities and foods best for building strong bones. In terms
of practices, 61% of the participants had daily calcium intakes less than the
recommended adequate intake, and physical activity scores that reflected low to
moderate activity levels. Twenty-five percent of the young women were current
smokers. These findings suggest that although adolescent females in this study held
positive beliefs towards lifestyle practices that lead to osteoporosis, they lacked the
specific knowledge necessary to make informed lifestyle decisions. In addition, the findings showed that physical activity knowledge and beliefs, as well as smoking
knowledge and practice varied according to SES. Furthermore, physical inactivity and
cigarette smoking were the only factors found to cluster together. In conclusion, an
immediate need exists to promote osteo-protective lifestyle practices among
adolescent females. Future research should investigate whether other factors play a
role in the relationship between knowledge and practice among adolescent females.
Information from this study could also be used to assist in developing and evaluating
osteoporosis intervention programs for the adolescent female population.