Osteoporosis Knowledge, Osteoporosis Preventing Behavi̇ors and Eating Habits Among Highly Educated Young Premenopausal Turkish Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine osteoporosis knowledge, osteoporosis preventing behaviors and eating habits among highly educated young premenopausal women under the age of bone mineralization termination. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 189 academic and administrative staff of Erciyes University, aged 18-35 years. The knowledge level of osteoporosis was evaluated with the Turkish version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test (OKT). Osteoporosis preventing behaviors and eating habits of participants were assessed. Despite the high educational level of women, they had poor levels of knowledge about osteoporosis. The mean total score for knowledge achieved by all women, out of a possible score of 24, was 14.08±3.69 or 58.6%. The mean nutrition subscale score was 9.63±3.07 and the exercise subscale score was 9.19±2.85. The total osteoporosis knowledge score and nutrition subscale scores were higher among women who have adequate consumption (≥3 servings/day) of dairy products (p