Predictors of osteoporosis prevention behaviors in women in their 20s and 30s

Abstract

There is a need to provide insight into the management and health care fields for the prevention of osteoporosis in young women by analyzing the factors affecting the prevention of osteoporosis. This descriptive survey aimed to identify the predictors of osteoporosis prevention behaviors in women in their 20s and 30s by examining their body mass index (BMI), weight control experience, osteoporosis knowledge, osteoporosis self-efficacy, and osteoporosis prevention behaviors. One hundred fifty participants were conveniently sampled, and data were collected from August to September 2020. Participants in their 20s and 30s completed a questionnaire concerning the general characteristics, osteoporosis-related characteristics, osteoporosis knowledge, osteoporosis self-efficacy, and osteoporosis prevention behaviors. Approximately 82.6% of the participants had at least 1 type of weight control experience. The mean participants’ age and BMI were 28.94 (±5.32) years and 21.62 (±3.21) kg/m2, respectively. No significant differences in weight control experience according to the participants’ characteristics were observed. However, significant differences were noted in BMI and age, osteoporosis knowledge and educational background, osteoporosis prevention behavior and educational background, and household type. Osteoporosis prevention behaviors were significantly positively correlated with weight control experience, osteoporosis knowledge, and osteoporosis self-efficacy. Osteoporosis prevention behaviors increased with increasing osteoporosis self-efficacy (β = 0.53, P < .001), among multiperson households (β = 0.20, P = .003), and among those with a weight control experience (β = 0.18, P = .007), and these factors explained 47.2% of the variance (F = 23.11, P < .001). Based on the study results, further studies are needed to identify and analyze the predictors of osteoporosis prevention behaviors in women to increase the awareness of osteoporosis and osteoporosis prevention and management in this group and expand similar efforts.

Determinant of Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors among Perimenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study to Explore the Role of Knowledge and Health Beliefs

“…An increase in one grade in osteoporosis-related knowledge increased women's probability of practicing high OPB by 1.6 times. In the same line as the present study, Kang and Kim tried to explore the predictors of OPB among women in their 20 s and 30 s. They elaborated that women with higher osteoporosis-related knowledge had significantly higher healthy behaviors and had at least one weight control experience [36]. Moreover, Rastgoo et al conducted a study to investigate the predictors of OPB among adolescents and found an indirect effect of knowledge on OPB via the intermediary roles of attitudes and behavioral intention [37].…”

“…In addition, the total health belief scores were significantly associated with high OPB; therefore, they further recommended that using HBM as a framework for osteoporosis public awareness programs may be an effective intervention to change and promote OPB [43]. In addition, Self-efficacy and health motivation were found to be the most important motivators for OPB, mainly physical activities, in many studies [36,44]. Moreover, an Iranian study found a significant association between walking behaviors and the perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis and health motivation.…”