• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.266-275
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• 2011

Purpose: The study investigated the relationship of health behavior with bone mineral density (BMD) for college students. Methods: A descriptive study was done using a convenient sampling of college students (n=116) enrolled in a health-related department. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), health behaviors recognition of subjective health, smoking, drinking, exercise, food habits, intake of calcium, and family history of fracture were measured. BMD was measured at the right forearm using Hologic lunar duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression. Results: The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 41.4% and 22.4%, respectively. Significant relationships were observed between BMD of right forearm and gender, BMI, subjective health recognition, drinking, and exercise (p<.05). Results of linear regression after adjusted BMD were increased concerning subjective health recognition and regular exercise (p<.05). Conclusions: Subjective health recognition and exercise carries positive effects on BMD. We recommend for college students that healthy behaviors like proper weight, smoking cessation, regular exercise, regular food habits, and health awareness are helpful to BMD.