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Osteoporosis has emerged as one of the most common diseases in the aged population. Approximately 25% of women and 10% of men aged 60 years or above are affected by osteoporosis [1]. Osteoporosis is one of the most significant public health problems in the world because it pre-disposes to fractures with minimal or no antecedent trauma. These fractures are, in turn, associated with increased mortality, reduced quality of life and high health care costs [2]. Prevention, including regular physical activity and adequate calcium intake, is recognized as a valuable strategy to reduce the prevalence and burden of osteoporosis [3–7].

Lack of knowledge of osteoporosis and mistaken health beliefs have been found to influence the intake of calcium and exercise [8], and other osteoporosis-related behaviours [9]. Therefore, osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs can potentially be important behavioural components …