Title : Effects of a theory-based educational intervention on healthy behaviors among overweight or obese post-menopausal women
Abstract:
Background: Post-menopausal women have increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially for those who are overweight or obese. Healthy diet and increasing physical activity can improve cardiovascular health among postmenopausal women, whereas most of intervention studies employ didactic approach with limited appropriate guidance of an educational theory, resulting in the unsustainability of behavioral changes. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a theory-based educational intervention on healthy behaviors among Chinese overweight or obese post-menopausal women. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Community dwellings who were: 1) Chinese women aged ≤65 years, 2) with natural menopausal for at least 12 months, 3) with BMI> 22.9kg/m2 or central obesity (waist circumference>80 cm) were recruited. A 3-month educational intervention, which was developed based on Health Literacy Model and Constructivist School of Learning theory, was provided for the intervention group. The intervention included one individual session on menopause and healthy lifestyle, three group sessions on healthy diet and moderateintensity physical activity practice, and five telephone calls, provided by a multidisciplinary team including a dietitian, a physiotherapist, and a nurse. The control group received one group session of general information on menopause and healthy lifestyle. Data on diet behavior and physical activity were collected at baseline and the end of the intervention. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used for data analysis. Results: One hundred-fifty five participants were recruited, with 86 for intervention and 67 for control group. The mean age was 59.05 (3.94). Results of GEE showed that intervention group demonstrated significant increase in healthy diet behavior (Group*Time: β=0.24, 95%CI: 0.09, 0.39, p=0.002) and physical activity (Group*Time: β=684.31, 95%CI: 27.58, 1341.03, p=0.04) at 3-month compared to the control group, after adjusting the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: This theory-based educational intervention was effective in improving healthy behaviors of overweight or obese post-menopausal women.
