Insufficient calcium intake among Canadians was monitored by providing four benefits and availability of calcium rich sources through emails everyday.

‘Your daily dose of calcium can create a positive attitude, healthy behavior, along with improved bone health.’

Participants received an email--with evidence-based daily tips and strategies on how to increase calcium intake--four days in a row. 




Jung, a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Professor, wanted to determine if targeted messaging--making particular outcomes relevant to the population of interest--could be a feasible public health strategy for improving calcium intake.
"Just four targeted messages made a remarkable difference in the consumption of calcium-rich foods," says Jung.
Calcium-rich foods apart from dairy products are green leafy vegetables (kale and broccoli), almonds and canned fish (with bones).
Jung also quoted that, "The majority of our participants increased their calcium intake by one serving of dairy a day--pretty good results."
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Specifically, she used evidence-based information including the suggestion of being a positive role model for one's children, understanding the health benefits of consuming enough calcium as we age, and strategies to keep up the required daily consumption.
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"This study demonstrates that providing salient information, along with relevant how-to strategies, is an effective way to promote calcium intake in Canadian adults," says Jung.
"These findings hold promise for future public health campaigns on a shoestring budget. By making messages meaningful to the targeted audience, cost-efficient messages can change health behaviors."
Jung's research was recently published in the Journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
Source-Eurekalert