Best Practice to Promote Bone Health in Post-menopausal Women through Adequate Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D

<p>BEST PRACTICE TO PROMOTE BONE HEALTH IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN THROUGH ADEQUATE INTAKE OF </p> <p>CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D </p> <p>Ellen S. Adkins, BSN, RN </p> <p>College of Nursing </p> <p>University of South Carolina </p> <p>Doctor of Nursing Practice degree </p> <p>ABSTRACT</p> <p> Osteoporosis has been found to be the most common systemic bone disease, characterized by reduced bone mineral density and skeletal fragility. In the United States, 80% of individuals with osteoporosis were women. Among women with osteoporosis, it was projected that one out of three would suffer a fracture of the hip, wrist , or spine, with an increased risk of one in two for women above the age of sixty. Primary prevention efforts for post-menopausal women have been based on risk analysis and promotion of behaviors to support bone health. </p> <p> Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D has been recognized as an evidence-based health behavior to promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis. The indices of bone health in post-menopausal women, which indicated adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, were calcium absorption and balance, serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels, bone mineral density, and fracture risk. The goal of this project was to establish a best practice guideline to promote bone health in post-menopausal women through adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D via nutrition or supplementation. </p> <p> The primary recommendation was that the best source of calcium and vitamin D for post-menopausal women was through dietary sources because of the absorption, bioavailability, and minimal side effects. The amount of calcium and vitamin D that produced a positive outcome on bone health in post-menopausal women was 1200mg of calcium and 600IU of vitamin D daily for women aged 51 to 70. For women over age seventy, calcium of 1200mg and vitamin D of 800IU daily was recommended. The most effective way to measure the adequacy of calcium and vitamin D consisted of performing a thorough history and physical exam; measuring serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels, and bone mineral density; and assessing fracture risk based on each individual woman's risk factors. Health care providers have an opportunity to have an impact on bone health and prevent osteoporosis in post-menopausal women based on primary prevention, assessment of risk factors for osteoporosis, implementation of a plan of care, and encouraging bone health promotion behaviors for optimal quality of life. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

D.N.P.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Nursing

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Adkins, Ellen Soley

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kathleen Scharer

• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Nursing
• Best Practice
• Bone Health
• Calcium
• Post-menopausal
• Vitamin D
• Women

Statement dc:rights

• © 2012, Ellen Soley Adkins

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/1673

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-2674