APPLYING BEHAVIORAL-MODELS TO DIETARY EDUCATION OF ELDERLY DIABETIC-PATIENTS

This study investigated the impact of psychosocial variables on diabet es-related behavior using a questionnaire based on the Health Belief M odel and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TOPB). Forty-eight elderly ma le diabetic patients were surveyed to determine the influence of attit udes and beliefs on dietary adherence. Mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) (171 mg/dl) demonstrated a lack of metabolic control and suggested a n eed for improved education. Subjects taking insulin perceived signific antly greater barriers to control than did those on oral agents or die t alone (p < .05). Subjects with FBS fluctuations of 50 mg/dl or more perceived significantly fewer (p < .05) barriers than those with more stable FBS. These results indicate that interventions for older men sh ould identify barriers to control and include practical ways to overco me them. Intention to eat foods such as pie, cake, or doughnuts was st rongly related to subjective norm, attitude towards dietary adherence, and perceived control (R(2) = 0.69, F = 31.60, p < .001). In addition , regression analysis to predict adherence behavior from TOPB accounte d for a significant proportion of the variance (R(2) = 0.37, F = 4.44, p < .01). This regression model suggests that educators who effect a change in attitudes may also change behavioral intentions and dietary adherence behavior.