Determinants of weight control among female older adults with osteoporosis an application of theory of planned behavior

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease associated with decreased bone mass and microscopic changes in bone tissue with an increased risk of fracture. One of the factors affecting the reduction of bone mass and subsequent increase in the risk of fracture is high weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors determining the weight control behaviors based on the theory of planned behavior in elderly women with osteoporosis in Khalkhal city. Materials and Methods: Applying a convinent sampling, a cross-sectional study was performed on 240 elderly women with osteoporosis who referred to a Densitometry Center in Khalkhal city in 2018. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 21. Results: Most subjects were married (84.2%) and had a primary / middle school literacy level (47.5%). The mean age and mean menopausal age of the women participating in the study were 71± 5.8 and 49.3 ± 1.5, respectively, and the mean (standard deviation) of body mass index was 26.21 (3.07). The Pearson correlation coefficient test showed significant positive relationships between attitude and weight control behavior (r = 0.211) and attitudes and subjective norms (r = 0.137). According to the linear regression test, the only variable that significantly predicted the weight control behaviors of older women in the study was attitude (β = 0.223). Interdependent variables predicted only 5.3% of variance in weight control behaviors. The results of linear regression did not show a significant relationship between the variables of attitude, intention, norm and behavioral control with weight control behaviors, after adjustment for confonders. Conclusion: According to the findings, attitude as a core category, should be considered in educational interventions to control weight in older women. Also, due to the low role of cognitive factors in the present study, factors other than those in the present study seem to be the main determinants of these behaviors in older women. The findings of this study also pointed out to the fact that the promotion of health behaviors requires attention to a wide range of all determinants at different levels of individual, society, health system and legislation (social determinants of health). KeyWords: Osteoporosis, Weight Control, Theory of Planned Behavioral, Older adults