Determinants of physical activity for prevention of osteoporosis among female students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences: Application of health belief model

Osteoporosis is a public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide and the growing risk of fracture increases. Increased physical activity is one of the recommendations of World Health Organization for prevention of osteoporosis. This study assesses the determinants of physical activity in prevention of osteoporosis among students, based on health belief model. Students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences participate in this descriptive-analytical study. The total number of participants in this study was 239 students who were studied with informed consent and voluntary. Instrument for data collection, was a valid and reliable questionnaire (including 9 demographic characteristics questions, 24 questions in health belief model constructs and the 13 question measured the physical activity. Data were analyzed SPSS version 18 Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Mean degree of physical activity was 223.59±226.41 minutes per week. Between mean degree of physical activity and perceived susceptibility to osteoporosis and perceived barriers of physical activity, there was a significant relationship (P<0.05). In this study there was no significant relationship between physical activity and other constructs of HBM (P>0.05). According to multiple regression analysis, perceived barriers was the strongest predictor for physical activity (Beta=0.032, P<0.001). Based on results of this study, it seems that there are some other factors that contribute to student's physical activity; we recommend future studies with a holistic view to identify other determinants of physical activity.