Results indicate health behavior change is more likely to occur when patient-centered interventions design ed to increase knowledge and health beliefs , skills and abilities  , and  social facilitation  are delivered over time .
Little is known about the dimensions of osteoporosis prevention programs essential to changing health behaviors .
The purpose of this review was to determine the impact of select characteristics of structured osteoporosis prevention programs on calcium intake in women .
Impact of a nutrition education program to increase intake of calcium-rich foods by Chinese-American women.
Chinese-American women have a high risk of osteoporosis . However , their calcium intake has been reported previously as considerably below the Dietary Reference Intake . Increasing consumption of calcium-rich foods , many of which are also fortified with vitamin D , is a safe way to increase their calcium and vitamin D intake . This study 's objective was to pilot-test an intervention to help Chinese-American women incorporate calcium-rich foods into their diet . This intervention was evaluated using a quasi-experimental study with a nested design and pre- , immediate post- , and 3-month follow-up assessment s.  Calcium and vitamin D intake , Theory of Planned Behavior constructs , and knowledge were measured at three time points . First-generation Chinese-American mothers between 35 and 55 years old ( n=141 ) were recruited from six weekend Chinese schools . Three Chinese schools each were r and omly assigned to the experimental ( n=71 ) or control group ( n=70 ) . The experimental group received a free heel scan and six weekly interactive lessons design ed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior . The control group received six weekly nonrelated financial lessons by mail . Changes for each measure were assessed by linear mixed model with repeated measures adjusted for confounding variables . Compared to the control group , the experimental group improved all measures considerably , except two subjective norm constructs ( normative belief and motivation to comply ) at post- assessment s. The experimental group significantly increased its baseline calcium ( t=7.898 , P<0.001 ) and vitamin D intake ( t=6.609 ; P<0.001 ) at posttest and this increase was retained at follow-up . Results suggest that this theory-based intervention is effective for increasing the dietary calcium and vitamin D intake of Chinese-American women
Results indicate health behavior change is more likely to occur when patient-centered interventions design ed to increase knowledge and health beliefs , skills and abilities  , and  social facilitation  are delivered over time .
Little is known about the dimensions of osteoporosis prevention programs essential to changing health behaviors .
The purpose of this review was to determine the impact of select characteristics of structured osteoporosis prevention programs on calcium intake in women .