Abstract

Purpose
s: This study was designed to explore the stage distribution of subjects according to stage of change for calcium intake and for exercise, and to identify factors that could discriminate among subjects in various stages.
METHODS
The sample consisted of 142 subjects who had taken bone mineral densitometry tests. The instruments used in this study were the Stage Placement Instrument for Calcium Intake and Exercise, the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale and the Osteoporosis Knowledge Test, and the Osteoporosis Self Efficacy Scale. Data were analyzed using chi square, ANOVA, and discriminant analysis by using the SPSS 12.0 program.
RESULTS
For calcium stages, economic level, calcium knowledge, positive social norms for calcium intake, & educational level showed high standardized canonical discriminant function coefficients. For exercise stages, exercise efficacy, susceptibility, exercise benefit, educational level, positive social norm to exercise, educational level, and exercise barrier showed high standardized canonical discriminant function coefficients.
CONCLUSION
This study implies that bone mass promoting program incorporating a stages of change model can be applied as useful nursing intervention.

• Keywords: Discrimination; Osteoporosis; Bone density