The effect of a bone-preserving board game program on the knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors of osteoporosis in older adults

•We developed a bone-preserving board game program for community dwelling older adults.•The bone-preserving board game program significantly improved knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of osteoporosis in older adults. Osteoporosis predisposes to fractures, which affect the quality of life and can be life-threatening. However, the knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors of osteoporosis in older adults are insufficient. The aim of this paper was to develop and test the effect of a bone-preserving board game program among older adults. A convenience sample of 85 older adults recruited from two community activity centers in southern Taiwan were assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group played a bone-preserving board game for 4 weeks, and the control group participated in routine community center activities. The generalized estimating equation showed significantly larger improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors in the experimental group than in the control group. Board games designed for older adults can support public health education and help prevent osteoporosis. Our results provide a reference for educators, clinical practitioners and researchers.•Osteoporosis is a silent disease without obvious symptoms.•Osteoporosis can cause health problems, and preventing osteoporosis in older adults is necessary.•The knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors of osteoporosis among older adults are insufficient.•We developed a bone-preserving board game program for community dwelling older adults.•The bone-preserving board game program significantly improved knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of osteoporosis in older adults.