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 .
Effects of Educational Materials concerning Osteoporosis on Women's Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behavior
Purpose . This study examined the effects of brief written educational material s on osteoporosis-related knowledge , beliefs , and behaviors . The study also examined whether observed effects varied as a function of one 's stage in the pre caution adoption process . Design . The study used an experimental research design . Setting . Participants were identified from North Carolina driver 's license records . Subjects . Of the 1476 women in the initial sample , 536 ( 36.3 % ) enrolled in the study and 307 completed all follow-up assessment s. Intervention . Participants were r and omly assigned to one of four groups . One group received an information packet containing general information about osteoporosis . One group received an action plan packet containing instructions on how to increase one 's level of exercise and calcium intake .  One group received both packets . The final group received neither packet . Measures . Primary study variables were beliefs related to osteoporosis , calcium , and exercise ; osteoporosis knowledge ; calcium and exercise stage ; calcium intake ; and exercise level . Results . Overall , receipt of the information packet was associated with changes in knowledge and beliefs ( F[18,283 ] = 2.11 , p < .01 ) irrespective of participants ' stage of change . No effects on behavior were observed . Conclusions . These findings suggest that brief written educational material s can facilitate knowledge and belief change but that they do not promote behavior change . The generalizability of these findings is limited by the low study response rate
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 .