NEEDs for Bones is a tested, effective osteoporosis education intervention for middle school youth

Abstract

NEEDs for Bones (NFB), a 4‐lesson osteoporosis‐prevention curriculum for grades 6–8, was presented to 525 students in SNAP‐Ed eligible PA schools. Students (51% male; 68% 7th grade) were from 29 classes in 2 school districts. On a scale of 1 (least) to 5 (most) learning about calcium in fast foods generated the most interest (3.50 ± 1.2, median 4). Only 8% of students expressed disinterest in all lessons and 51% were very interested in at least 2 lessons. Girls were interested in more lessons than boys (1.9 ± 1.5 vs. 1.6 ± 1.4; P=.03), especially lessons on fast food and convenience store calcium sources. Tasting experiences included refried beans, vanilla soymilk, sunflower seeds, calcium‐fortified juice, and Swiss cheese. Only 14% had tasted all foods, 6% hadn't eaten any, and 2 to 4 foods were novel for 61% of students. Over 45% of the students had not yet tasted the calcium‐fortified juice, soymilk, or refried beans. Gender differences in tasting history or response were not significant. Compared to girls, boy were more relaxed about eating (P=.02), tending toward a higher eating attitude score (P=.07). Cluster analyses revealed gender, rather than tasting experience, lesson interest, or eating attitude, was the greater cluster predictor. Students learned calcium food sources, weight bearing activities, and calcium‐related diseases, supporting NFB as a strong option for osteoporosis prevention education. USDA Funding