preventing of osteoporosis: Applying the Health Belief Model

Background and aim: osteoporosis as a disease, is characterized by low bone mass and loss of bonemicrostructure known. According to the importance of identifying the preventive behaviors in premenopausalwomen by nurses and other health personnel, This study aimed to determine the predictingfactors of nutritional behaviors for preventing of osteoporosis according to the Health Belief Model wasperformed.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 147 women aged 35-49 were referredto Health Centers in Bandar Abbas, Iran. A systematic cluster sampling method was applied. Data collectiontool was included demographic information, knowledge, health belief model constructs and calcium andvitamin D rich foods frequency questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical, PearsonCorrelation and Linear Regression.Findings: The result showed that self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived barriers had a significantrelationship with nutritional behaviors . Structure barriers predict calcium intake. Also, Structural barriers andperceived benefits were identified as strong predictors for vitamin D.Conclusion: According to the results, The health belief model could become suitable framework forinterventional programs, However, taking into account social -cultural factors related to the preventivebehaviors could have effective role for improving preventive nutritional measures.Keywords: nutritional behavior, osteoporosis, prevention, health belief mode