Maedeh Gordali, Marjan Bazhan, Mohtasham Ghaffari, Nasrin Omidvar and Bahram Rashidkhani
The purpose of this study is to determine how transtheoretical model (TTM) constructions change through nutrition education for fat intake modification among overweight and obese…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine how transtheoretical model (TTM) constructions change through nutrition education for fat intake modification among overweight and obese women living in Shazand city, Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
A semi-experimental design with intervention and control groups (50 women in each group) was performed. TTM constructions for dietary fat intake were measured through a questionnaire in four phases: before the intervention, immediately, one month and six months after the intervention. Participants in two groups were classified into inactive and active subgroups, based on their determined stage of change. Then in the intervention group, each subgroup received a separate education program of five or eight sessions for the active and inactive subgroups, respectively.
Findings
The intervention resulted in significant progress in participants' stage of change compared to the control group (p = 0.002). Also, it resulted in an increase in the self-efficacy and decisional balance scores in both of the intervention subgroups, with these effects being more pronounced in the inactive subgroup, and these significant differences, compared to the control group, remained in the third and fourth phases. The intervention also positively impacted the behavioral processes, but this effect was not so long-lasting and decreased after six months.
Originality/value
The results indicated the intervention effectiveness and the necessity of planning educational interventions to change fat consumption behavior. This study provides further insight into effective and sustainable nutrition education strategies based on behavioral change stages rather than traditional approaches. These methods should be used to design group interventions to change individuals' health behavior in future works.
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Asal Neshatbini Tehrani, Hossein Farhadnejad, Amin Salehpour, Reza Moloodi, Azita Hekmatdoost and Bahram Rashidkhani
To the best of our knowledge, the studies on determining adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) in Iran as a non-Mediterranean country are scarce. Thus, the aim of…
Abstract
Purpose
To the best of our knowledge, the studies on determining adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) in Iran as a non-Mediterranean country are scarce. Thus, the aim of the study is to determine the adherence to the MDP in a sample of female adolescents who are residents of Tehran, Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
In this cross-sectional study, 263 female adolescents aged 15-18 years were studied. Information on socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric variables were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Also, dietary intakes were determined using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to MDP was characterized using Mediterranean-style dietary pattern score (MSDPS).
Findings
Typically, the mean ± SD MSDPS was low in the present study (15.9 ± 5.6). The mean ± SD age and body mass index of the study population was 16.2 ± 0.9 years and 22.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2, respectively. In this study, the maximum MSDPS was 34.3, which was only one-third of maximum possible score (100). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that higher MSDPS scores were positively associated with age (standardized β = 0.1; p = 0.006), higher energy intake (standardized β = 0.2; p < 0.001) and marginally higher physical activity (standardized β = 0.1; p = 0.079).
Originality/value
Understanding low adherence to MDP in Tehranian female adolescents can provide basic knowledge to launch systematic programmes for gravitation toward MDP.