. Arash Salahshoori; . Gholamreza Sharifirad; . Akbar Hassanzadeh; . Firoozeh Mostafavi
Volume 4, Issue 1 , February 2014, , Pages 1-6
Abstract
Introduction: Paying attention to improving the nutritional status of adolescents can be one of themost effective fundamental measures for preventing chronic diseases, particularly ...
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Introduction: Paying attention to improving the nutritional status of adolescents can be one of themost effective fundamental measures for preventing chronic diseases, particularly cardiovasculardiseases in later life. Identifying the predicting elements in different behaviors is one of the mosteffective ways that can be considered in prevention programs in different communities, particularlyin developing countries. The purpose of was to determine the perceived efficacy, benefits andbarriers related to a healthy nutrition pattern and the relation of these variables with a healthy diet inmale and female high school students in Izeh city. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectionaldescriptive and analytic study conducted throughout high schools in Izeh City, the subjects were500 students (300 girls and 200 boys) from the 1390-91 school years who were selected throughthe multistage random sampling method; the acquired data was then studied and analyzed. Thedata for this study was gathered through a multi-sectional questionnaire (that included demographiccharacteristics, self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers). The Independent t-test, Spearman’sCorrelation, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and Linear Regression were used to interpret andanalyze the data. Results: Data analysis showed that the mean age of male participants was15.67 ± 0.95 years and females 15.86 ± 1.16 years. The mean score for healthy eating patternsin male students was 46.83 ± 14.86 and in female students 44.20 ± 14.16 respectively. The meanscore for perceived benefits of healthy eating in girls was significantly higher than that in boys. Therewas a direct meaningful relationship between the mean score of benefits and perceived self-efficacywith the healthy eating behaviors in the two sexes, (P < 0.001). The results of the multiple linearregression analysis revealed that the most important predictive factors in the students’ healthyeating behavior are self-efficacy and perceived benefits respectively and that perceived barriersis not an influencing predictor in healthy eating patterns. Conclusion: The results of this studyshowed that many factors influence students’ diet pattern and undeniably the role of these factorsare not alike in the two sexes. The results also showed that perceived self-efficacy and benefitsof healthy nutrition strengthens healthy eatingbehavior in students and thus these factorsshould be considered by health authorities inthe country in any future programming.