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OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the expanded Health Belief Model (EHBM) could predict calcium intake and physical activity in adolescent girls. METHODS: Participants self-reported calcium intake, physical activity, and osteoporosis health beliefs. Regression analysis examined the relationship between these beliefs and behaviors. RESULTS: Calcium self-efficacy, calcium barriers, and osteoporosis knowledge predicted calcium intake, whereas exercise self-efficacy and health motivation predicted physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The EHBM appears to be useful in predicting osteoporosis prevention behaviors in adolescent girls. Interventions should focus on identifying barriers to calcium consumption and physical activity and increasing beliefs in the ability overcome them.
Gammage et al. (Sun,) studied this question.