To assess knowledge of osteoporosis and its risk factors and to explore associations between knowledge and various sociodemographic factors in Indian adults.

Cross-sectional study. The Revised Osteoporosis Knowledge Test (OKT) was used to assess knowledge of osteoporosis. Four scores (OKT-total, range 0–32; OKT-exercise, range 0–20; OKT-nutrition, range 0–26; OKT-risk factors, range 0–14) were generated by giving 1 point to every correct answer and 0 points for incorrect or ‘not known’ answers.

Tertiary-care hospital in Pune city, India.

Adults aged 40–75 years (n 477; 234 males) enrolled through voluntary routine health checks and health camps.

Mean age of the study population was 54·6 (sd 9·5) years. Half the participants were aware of osteoporosis and could correctly define it. Women showed significantly higher median OKT-total and OKT-nutrition scores than men (P<0·05). Those with higher education and higher socio-economic status had significantly higher scores in both men and women (P<0·05). All four scores were significantly higher in both men and women who could correctly define osteoporosis (P<0·05). All four scores were significantly higher in women with a family history of osteoporosis (P<0·05) but not in men (P>0·1).

Understanding about osteoporosis and its risk factors is low in the present cohort of Indian men and women. There is need to create awareness programmes aimed at both men and women especially targeting those with lower education, lower socio-economic status and no previous exposure to osteoporosis.

To assess knowledge of nutrition and physical activity; examine associations of knowledge with sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters; and evaluate the relationship between knowledge and practice in adults.

In a cross-sectional design, 720 adults were selected using random sampling. Data on anthropometry, body fat, diet, physical activity, and nutrition and physical activity knowledge were collected using standardized questionnaires. Tertiles were used to categorize nutrition knowledge (NK) and physical activity knowledge (PK).

Subjects selected through routine health checks from hospitals, housing societies and residential areas.

A total of 720 adults (361 men) aged 35–50 years participated.

Mean age was 42·7 (sd 9·4) years and mean BMI was 25·8 (sd 5·0) kg/m2. Mean energy intake was 64 %, protein was 68 % and fat was 144 % of the RDA. Mean NK and PK scores were 10·2 (sd 2·9) and 6·5 (sd 1·7), respectively, and were similar across genders (P>0·05). Individuals with higher education exhibited significantly higher NK and PK. Individuals with high fat had significantly higher NK and PK (P<0·05) than participants with normal fat percentage. Overweight and obese individuals had significantly higher PK (P<0·05). Multivariate regression modelling indicated that NK was positively associated with dietary intakes of leafy vegetables, salads and sprouts but negatively associated with fruit intake. BMI, television and reading time were positively associated with PK, even after adjusting for sociodemographic status.

There is a need for increased efforts towards developing health education programmes focusing on transforming nutrition and physical activity knowledge into practice and adherence to guidelines.