Exploring Women's Knowledge of Nutrition and Bone Health: A Preventive Focus on Osteoporosis

Background Osteoporosis is a chronic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, resulting in increased bone fragility and fracture risk. Among the modifiable risk factors, diet and lifestyle play a critical role in both the prevention and progression of osteoporosis. Perimenopausal women are particularly susceptible to bone loss due to hormonal changes, making it imperative to evaluate their awareness of dietary influences on bone health. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding osteoporosis-related dietary factors among perimenopausal women and to identify key knowledge gaps that warrant targeted educational interventions. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 perimenopausal women using a convenience sampling technique. A structured, validated 25-item questionnaire was administered to evaluate awareness of dietary factors associated with osteoporosis. Each correct response scored one point. Based on the total score, awareness was categorized as inadequate (0-12), moderately adequate (13-19), or adequate (20-25). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. Item-wise analysis was carried out to evaluate specific areas of knowledge. The Chi-square (χ²) test was used to assess associations between awareness levels and selected demographic variables, including age, education, occupation, socioeconomic status, diet type, and family history of osteoporosis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean age of participants was 51.26 ± 7.12 years. Of the 200 women surveyed, 133 (66.5%) exhibited inadequate awareness, 67 (33.5%) showed moderately adequate awareness, and none (0.0%) achieved the adequate awareness level. The overall mean awareness score was 10.35 ± 3.31. Item-wise analysis revealed relatively better awareness in certain areas; 176 (88.0%) participants correctly identified the critical age group for bone health, and 166 (83.0%) recognized sunlight as a major source of vitamin D. However, significant knowledge gaps were observed in essential domains: only 74 (37.0%) knew calcium-rich food sources, 80 (40.0%) were aware of the negative impact of soft drinks on bone health, and just 62 (31.0%) understood the importance of osteoporosis-related health education. A statistically significant association (p = 0.001) was found between awareness levels and several demographic factors, including age, educational status, occupation, socioeconomic background, diet type, and family history of osteoporosis. Conclusion The study highlights a generally low level of awareness regarding dietary factors related to osteoporosis among perimenopausal women, with critical deficiencies in knowledge of essential preventive strategies. These findings call for the implementation of targeted, community-based educational programs to enhance dietary literacy and bone health awareness. Furthermore, the strong association between awareness and demographic characteristics underscores the need for tailored interventions that address the specific needs of vulnerable subgroups. Incorporating osteoporosis education into routine women's health services may significantly contribute to the early prevention and management of this silent disease.