Gender differences in osteoporosis health beliefs and knowledge and their relation to vigorous physical activity in university students.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine (1) gender differences in osteoporosis-related knowledge and beliefs and (2) if these beliefs could predict vigorous physical activity behavior in university students.

PARTICIPANTS

Male (n = 176) and female (n = 351) university students participated in the study.

METHODS

Participants completed self-report measures of osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs and vigorous physical activity.

RESULTS

Regardless of gender, osteoporosis knowledge was relatively poor. Women reported higher knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and calcium barriers, and lower exercise self-efficacy than men. Regression analyses showed that for women, perceived susceptibility, health motivation, and exercise self-efficacy predicted vigorous physical activity, whereas for men, exercise barriers was the only predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender differences in osteoporosis health beliefs appear to be greater in older adults than college-aged students. Interventions designed to increase vigorous physical activity may want to target different beliefs for men and women.