Knowledge, attitude regarding osteoporosis, dietary calcium intake and food sources of calcium among Chinese young adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Osteoporosis is a major public health issue with huge socioeconomic implications. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude regarding osteoporosis with sufficient dietary calcium intake are important to prevent osteoporosis, especially in young adults. Nonetheless, data on the knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis, dietary calcium intake and its food sources among the high-risk population, including Malaysian Chinese are limited. The study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis, dietary calcium intake, and food sources of calcium among young Malaysian Chinese. A total of 130 Malaysian Chinese aged 18 to 26 years living in Klang Valley were recruited. Knowledge and attitude regarding osteoporosis were assessed using the Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool (OPAAT) and Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS). Dietary calcium intake and food sources were obtained from a 7-day diet history. Participants had low knowledge regarding osteoporosis (48.8% ± 16.6), but moderate knowledge (53.2% ± 17.9) regarding preventive measures of osteoporosis. The median dietary calcium intake was 546 mg/day and only 6.2% of the participants achieved the Recommended Nutrients Intake (RNI). There was a discernible weak positive correlation between knowledge and dietary calcium intake (r = 0.192, p = 0.029). Young Malaysian Chinese adults exhibited low knowledge about osteoporosis and reported inadequate dietary calcium intake. Thus, there is a need for community-based health education programs focusing on osteoporosis awareness among Malaysian young adults.