We sought to examine the effects of a targeted psychoeducational program to decrease risk of osteoporosis (OP) in preadolescent girls through increasing knowledge and changing behavior (i.e., increased dietary calcium intake and increased weight bearing activity). Nine and ten year-old girl scouts are randomized either to intervention or control group. The initial intervention consists of six interactive sessions utilizing various media presentations to increase knowledge of OP and components focused on facilitating behavioral change. Examples include a simple, short self-administered assessment of dietary calcium intake which is used as self-reinforcement and self-monitoring tool; and activities to promote increased weight-bearing exercises. The control group receives a generic healthly lifestyles intervention. A pre-and post-test encompasses the domains of knowledge about modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for OP (RISK), calcium content of food (FOOD), and activities that are weight-bearing (WT). A total of 185 girls have been enrolled. The baseline demographic and anthopormorphic characteristics of the groups were similar. There was significant increase in knowledge for the intervention as compared to the control group. Differences were -0.1 versus 2.5 for pre-/post changes in knowledge in RISK (p < 0.001), 0.8 versus 2.5 for changes in FOOD (p < 0.001) and 0 versus 0.8 for changes in WB (p < 0.01), for the intervention versus control groups, respectively. A targeted psychoeducational program can be used to increase knowledge of OP facilitate health promotion behaviors to decrease risk OP in preadolescent children.
Learning Objectives: Identifiy Modifiable and Non-Modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis Define target populations that are at high risk of osteoporosis in later life Describe components of a osteoporosis prevention program
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.