Calcium Knowledge, Dietary Calcium Intake, And Bone Mineral Content and Density in Young Women‪.‬

This descriptive cross-sectional study examined associations among calcium knowledge, dietary calcium intake (mg/day), and bone mineral content and density in young women. Participants were a convenience sample of fifty women between the ages of 20 and 45, (M = 35.24, SD = 6.53). During a single testing session participants completed several surveys: Osteoporosis Risk Factor Demographic Survey, Calcium Knowledge Survey, the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) and 24-h dietary recall. Physical characteristics and bone mineral content (TBMC) and bone mineral density (TBMD) were also measured during this session. In general, participants were knowledgeable about the health benefits of calcium, roles and function of dietary calcium, and dietary sources of calcium. Results revealed that calcium knowledge is not an independent predictor of calcium intake. Predictors of TBMC were fat free mass and BMI, fat free mass was the only predictor of TBMD. Women meeting the recommended intake for calcium were slightly older and had greater TBMD than women not meeting the recommended intake for calcium. Factors in addition to or other than knowledge related to calcium are influencing calcium intake and bone health in pre-menopausal women and are important to understand in order to reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures. Osteoporosis and low bone mass affects more than 44 million Americans and of those affected, 80% are women (National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2005). Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. A major health concern associated with osteoporosis is an increased susceptibility to osteoporosis-related fractures (e.g., hip, spine, wrist). A major determinant of fracture risk in adults is bone mass at skeletal maturity or peak bone mass. Peak bone mass is typically attained during the later stages of puberty and a large percent of peak bone mass is accumulated during adolescence. By age 20, the average woman has accumulated 98% of her skeletal mass (National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2005). The National Osteoporosis Foundation (2005) has identified five steps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis: (1) consume a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, (2) participate in weight bearing exercise, (3) avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, (4) talk to your doctor about bone health, and (5) bone density testing and medication when appropriate.