The impact of osteoporosis prevention programs on calcium intake: a systematic review

Little is known about the dimensions of osteoporosis prevention programs essential to changing health behaviors. The purpose of this review was to determine the impact of select characteristics of structured osteoporosis prevention programs on calcium intake in women. This systematic review included 12 experimental and quasi-experimental studies conducted internationally with adult women participants. Studies were more likely to demonstrate differences when they were conducted outside the U.W.; participants had lower baseline calcium intake; and interventions were multi-dimensional and included factual information, skill training, and social contact delivered dynamically over time. The results document extensive variability across participants, programs, and measures. There is a need to document the source (total and sub-total) of calcium intake, to provide the necessary data to calculate effect sizes to enable comparison across studies, and to identify those moderating factors (such as menopausal status) that affect the ability to determine differences between sub-groups. Results indicate health behavior change is more likely to occur when patient-centered interventions designed to increase knowledge and health beliefs, skills and abilities, and social facilitation are delivered over time. There is an urgent need for the development and testing of new health behavior change theories, prevention programs, and delivery media to support and complement health care providers in the prevention and management of this common, debilitating condition.