Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114448

Simani Price, PhD¹, Judith McDivitt, PhD², Deanne Weber, PhD¹, Holly Massett, PhD³, Lisa Shusterman Wolff, MA⁴, and Deborah A. Galuska, PhD⁵. (1) Research, Porter Novelli, 1909 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, (2) Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS K-46, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770/488-5555, zlf2@cdc.gov, (3) National Cancer Institute, NIH, 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20852, (4) Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, (5) Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., N.E, (Mailstop K26), Atlanta, GA 30341-3717

Bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, have a significant economic impact on the U.S., with annual costs for direct care estimated at $12 to $18 billion. Although the vast majority of the 10 million cases of osteoporosis in this country occur among women over 50, critical factors that prevent osteoporosis in later life such as calcium intake occur in the first decades of life. However, studies suggest that calcium intake for adolescent girls falls well below recommended levels and declines steadily as girls get older. Currently, few studies have examined why girls do not get enough calcium or why there is a decline in calcium during the teenage years. To provide a more comprehensive assessment of how girls' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, influencers, and behaviors affect calcium intake at different ages, a nationally representative survey of 2,000 girls 9-18 years old was conducted as part of the National Bone Health Campaign (NBHC). Previous research using the NBHC data found that parent's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were key predictors of calcium intake for girls 9-12 years old. However, it is likely that as girls become older other factors (e.g., friends) become more influential. The current study identifies predictors of calcium intake for girls 13-18 years old and compares them to the previous findings with younger girls. Findings from this study will provide further insights into the psychosocial, and behavioral data on girls' calcium consumption.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List the perceived barriers and benefits that girls 13-18 years old report as significant in their behaviors around eating foods with calcium.
• Recognize and explain psychosocial variables and how they affect girls' calcium nutrition.
• Describe the role of demographics, especially age, on calcium consumption among adolescent girls.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation