Development and Validation of a Stages of Change Algorithm for Calcium Intake for College Female Students

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a staging algorithm for calcium intake.

Methods: Three hundred seventy-six college-aged females at a private university were randomly selected to participate. After 8.5% of the data were omitted due to incomplete surveys, the sample consisted of 344 female participants. Calcium intake was measured as self-reported consumption with a 26-item food frequency questionnaire. Stages of change classifications were based on a four-item algorithm for calcium intake, and self-efficacy was measured with three items.

Results: Significant differences were found between calcium intake levels between precontemplation, contemplation/preparation and action/maintenance. Results also showed that 40% of the participants were in action/maintenance and were consuming the Dietary Reference Intake level of 1,000 mg of daily calcium. Participants in the action and maintenance stages had significantly higher self-efficacy than the preaction group.

Conclusion: The study suggests that the stages of change algorithm may be used as an effective tool in assessing daily calcium intake among a college female population.

• transtheoretical model
• stages of change
• calcium intake
• self-efficacy
• college females

Notes

Dr. Adams is now at Arizona State University East, Mesa, Arizona.