Abstract
Effective management of osteoporosis requires individuals to take responsibility for following medication, exercise, and dietary guidelines. The aim of this study was to provide important insights into self-care behaviors and their determinants, especially dietary patterns related to vitamin D and calcium intake among elderly women, both healthy and those with osteoporosis. This cross-sectional descriptive-comparative study included 250 postmenopausal women aged 60 and above, consisting of 125 healthy women and 125 women with osteoporosis which conducted in Tabriz, Iran. The data collection instruments comprised a demographic questionnaire, Menopausal Self-Care Questionnaire, and Vitamin D and Calcium Food Frequency Questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to identify predictors of self-care behaviors and dietary intakes. The mean (Standard deviation: SD) total self-care score (33-165) in healthy women was higher 118.97 ± 19.92 compared to osteoporotic women 84.7 ± 14.98 (p < 0.001). Healthy women also exhibited significantly higher daily dietary intakes of calcium (850.52 ± 147.92 mg vs. 546.71 ± 60.28 mg, p < 0.001) and vitamin D (3.38 ± 0.65 mg vs. 2.0 ± 0.34 mg, p < 0.001) than osteoporotic women. Multivariate analysis identified household income, age, education, exercise, and BMI as key predictors of self-care behaviors and dietary intakes (p < 0.05) in healthy and osteoporotic elderly women. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis exhibited poorer self-care behaviors and lower calcium/vitamin D intake compared to healthy peers, with socioeconomic factors (income, education), exercise, age, and BMI as key predictors.