Osteoporosis Prevention in Adolescents Via Interactive Theater - Program Evaluation By Gender

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify elements of a successful chronic disease prevention program designed for adolescents: targeting, program development, and evaluation.

Osteoporosis, a pediatric disease with adult manifestations, affects 28 million Americans. Bone loss is linked with behaviors formed during adolescence. The literature suggests that adolescent females’ diets are inadequate, and contain approximately half the RDA for calcium. Public-private collaboration enabled development of an interactive theater presentation and discussion series to increase knowledge about Osteoporosis, and improve food choices and physical activity behaviors. Initially developed and piloted to 9th grade girls, it was found that the program's strong prevention messages were appropriate for both genders. Therefore, in its second year, the program was delivered to 7th and 8th grade boys and girls in 17 public middle schools in Massachusetts. A matched sample of 847 students completed pre-and post-tests. Six scales were constructed to assess changes in knowledge and behavior. These included; 1. knowledge about foods rich in calcium, 2. knowledge about Osteoporosis, 3. knowledge about causes and effects of osteoporosis, 4. food consumption in the past week, 5. physical exercise in the past week, and 6. knowledge about behaviors leading to osteoporosis. For the combined sample, paired t-tests showed that pretest to posttest Ds were positive and statistically significant (p ≤.05) on all scales. Analyzed by gender, pretest to posttest Ds were not significant for scales 1 and 4 (scales relating to food) in males. Focus group research guided development of this unique health education intervention, which delivered relevant, effective messages leading to significant improvements in knowledge and behavior for adolescent girls, and while improvements were smaller, was also effective for adolescent boys. Consideration of targeted nutrition education in adolescent boys may be indicated.