Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis burden is underdiagnosed and undertreated. While increasing community awareness and education are recognised priorities, research on how older adults view osteoporosis is limited. The aim was to assess osteoporosis-related knowledge, intentions and attitudes in relation to other health conditions in Australian adults aged 50 years and older.
Methods: A validated online questionnaire, developed with an expert panel, was administered to 1432 healthy volunteers, (64.3 ± 9.5 years). The questionnaire assessed knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors, attitudes and intentions. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with low knowledge.
Results: Knowledge score across six topics was 29.5 ± 14.5 (100 possible). Lowest scores were for ‘exercises to improve balance’ (11.1 ± 11.5) and highest for ‘sources of calcium’ (35.0 ± 26.4). The likelihood of being in the lowest knowledge tertile was associated with age (OR: 1.02, CI: 1.00–1.03), lower education level (OR: 1.38, CI: 1.00–1.89), being male (OR: 2.40, CI: 1.87–3.09) and those without a family history of osteoporosis (OR: 1.79, CI: 1.30–2.45).
Conclusion: The study identifies a concerning lack of knowledge about osteoporosis among older adults. Health promotion strategies to target discrete behaviours and address barriers and promoters for osteoporosis prevention are needed.
Keywords
osteoporosis, bone health, osteoporosis knowledge, health promotion, older adults, osteoporosis prevention
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Article Number
118042
ISSN
87563282
PubMed ID
42600719
Publication Title
Bone
Publisher
Elsevier
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Lam, P. D., Dhaliwal, S. S., Pollard, C. M., Jancey, J. M., Prince, R. L., & Kerr, D. A. (2026). Knowledge, intentions and attitudes towards osteoporosis and other health conditions among older Australians. Bone, 213, Article 118042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2026.118042