Learning Objective #1: discuss the incidence of osteoporosis in men 50 years of age and older.

Learning Objective #2: describe the relationship between the diagnosis of low bone mineral density and osteoporosis preventing behaviors in men.

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Osteoporosis is a serious health care problem that is predicted to significantly increase by 2030. Bone density screening by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can result in early detection of osteoporosis and initiation of prevention measures or treatment. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the relationship between bone mineral density screening and osteoporosis preventing behaviors (OPB) including calcium intake and weight bearing exercise in a community based convenience sample of men ≥50 years of age at 12 months post bone mineral density screening. The Health Risk Appraisal provided the conceptual framework. Research questions were: 1) What is the incidence of osteoporosis in men ≥ 50 years of age? 2) Is there a relationship between the diagnosis of osteoporosis/osteopenia (low bone mass) and OPBs in men? One hundred men in this descriptive study received a bone density scan at the beginning of the study. All completed a questionnaire initially, and at 12 months comprised of the Dietary Calcium Rapid Assessment Intake, Supplemental Calcium Intake, and the Yale Physical Activity Survey. Fifty men (50%) had normal bone density, 44 (44%) had low bone mass, and 6 (6%) were osteoporotic. There was a time by diagnosis interaction effect of the bone density results on calcium intake (Wilks lambda F=4.75; df=4, 190; p=.002). There was no significant exercise effect. Findings suggest having a bone density screen is an effective health care intervention to increase men's calcium intake. Nurses and other health care professionals are called on to recognize the need for screening and early interventions for osteoporosis in men.