Bone Mineral Density Testing and Osteoporosis Education Improve Lifestyle Behaviors in Premenopausal Women: A Prospective Study

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
One way to decrease the risk of osteoporosis is to maximize peak bone mass. Peak bone mass may be moderately influenced by lifestyle behaviors: increasing calcium and exercise, decreasing alcohol intake and smoking may increase peak bone mass. We examined the effects of osteoporosis education and bone mineral density (BMD) testing on self-reported lifestyle behaviors in 669 premenopausal women enrolled in a prospective study to assess determinants of peak bone mass. Study participants completed a questionnaire that assessed lifestyle behaviors, received pamphlets about osteoporosis, and had BMD testing. One year later, the women completed a similar questionnaire. After education about osteoporosis and BMD testing, women reported that they were less likely to smoke (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.28–1.0), consume alcohol (OR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04–0.34), and caffeinated beverages (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.27–0.68). Women were more likely to use calcium supplements (OR = 4.3; 95% CI: 3.04–6.2), vitamin D supplements (OR = 12.6; 95% CI: 7.4–22.9), and drink at least one glass of milk a day (OR = 13.3; 95% CI: 7.8–23.9). Further, women with low bone mass were more likely to use calcium supplements (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.3) and vitamin D supplements (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.2) compared with women who had normal bone mass. Thus, our intervention improved self-reported lifestyle behaviors in premenopausal women. Such behaviors may ultimately increase peak bone mass and decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis.