Osteoporosis Prevention and Self-Management Course

OVERVIEW

The Osteoporosis Prevention and Self-Management Course aims to improve confidence and to promote awareness and self-management of osteoporosis in women. The program significantly increases the mother’s probability of increasing her child’s calcium intake.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

Target population: Mothers from Southern Tasmania, Australia

The Osteoporosis Prevention and Self-Management Course is a small-group, 8-hour class that emphasizes factors contributing to risk for osteoporosis and appropriate habits to minimize that risk. The intervention lasts two hours per week for four weeks. The program is delivered by a pair of Department of Health and Human Services allied health professionals, which could include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and nurses. Those in both the control and treatment groups received a leaflet discussing what osteoporosis is and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, and calcium intake that affect osteoporosis risk.

EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM

Winzenberg, T. M., B. Oldenburg, et al. (2006). A Mother-Based Intervention Trial for Osteoporosis Prevention in Children. Preventive Medicine: An International Journal Devoted to Practice & Theory 42, 1, 21-26.

Evaluated Population: 354 mothers from Southern Tasmania, Australia with a child under 18. The average age of participants was 39 years old. The percentage of mothers’ who worked 0 hours per week in groups 1-4 ranged from four to ten percent. Eight to 22 percent of the sample had a family history of osteoporosis. Finally, 38-47 percent of the sample had greater than a high school education.

Approach: Respondents were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. The control condition included a leaflet with information from Osteoporosis Australia. The experimental condition was the Osteoporosis Prevention and Self-Management Course.

The authors measured bone mineral density feedback, calcium intake, smoking history, breast-feeding history, number and ages of children, family history of osteoporosis or fracture or both, fracture history in the subject, education level, employment status of main provider, employment status of the mother, and marital status. Subjects’ bone mineral density was measured at the spine and hip, and received a letter informing them whether they were at risk for osteoporosis. At pre-test and post-test, mothers reported their calcium intake as well as information about their children’s calcium intake and physical activity.

Results: Relationships between change in children’s behavior and the employment status of the mother, family history of osteoporosis, or smoking were not significant.

There were significant differences between women with lower bone mineral density (high risk) and higher bone mineral density (normal) for increasing children’s calcium intake in year two. Women with lower bone mineral density were more likely to increase their children’s calcium intake at year two. Women in the treatment condition were more likely to increase their children’s calcium intake in year one and year two than the control group. The program did not impact children’s physical activity.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

References

Website: (http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/about_oa.php) State offices provide information on self-management programs (to reach your state office in Australia call 1800 242 141)

Program categorized in this guide according to the following:

Evaluated participant ages: Early Childhood (0-5), Middle Childhood (6-11), Adolescence (12-14), Youth (15-21).

Program components: Parent or Family Component.

Measured outcomes: Physical Health.

KEYWORDS: White or Caucasian, Physical Health, Parent or Family Component, Nutrition.

Program information last updated 7/6/09

		© Child Trends 2003