survey of the effective factors in students' adherence to university dress code policy, using the theory of reasoned action

Introduction: Recognizing the determinants of behavior plays a major role in identification and application of effective strategies for encouraging individuals to follow the intended pattern of behavior. The present study aimed to analyze the university students' behaviors regarding the amenability to dress code, using the theory of reasoned action [TRA]

Methods: In this cross sectional study, 472 students were selected through multi-stage random sampling. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by specialists. Besides, its reliability was confirmed by conducting a pilot study revealing Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.93 for attitude, 0.83 for subjective norms, 0.94 for behavioral intention and 0.77 for behavior. The data were entered into the SPSS statistical software and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics [Mann-Whitney, correlation and regression analysis]

Results: Based on the students' self-reports, conformity of clothes to the university's dress code was below the expected level in 28.87% of the female students and 28.55% of the male ones. The mean scores of attitude, subjective norms, and behavioral intention to comply with dress code policy were 28.78 +/- 10.08, 28.51 +/- 8.25 and 11.12 +/- 3.84, respectively. The students of different colleges were different from each other concerning TRA constructs. Yet, subjective norms played a more critical role in explaining the variance of dress code behavior among the students

Conclusion: Theory of reasoned action explained the students' dress code behaviors relatively well. The study results suggest paying attention to appropriate approaches in educational, cultural activities, including promotion of student-teacher communication

effects of 6 isocaloric meals pattern on blood lipid profile, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized clinical trial

Background: The present clinical trial study aims at investigating the effect of daily energy intake in 6 isocaloric meals in comparison with the current meal pattern [3 meals and 2 small snacks per day] on type 2 diabetes risk markers in diabetes during 3-month period

Methods: Eighty four type 2 diabetes patients were randomly divided into 6 isocaloric meal diet or a balanced diet [3 meals and 2 snacks previous meal pattern]. The planned reduced calorie diets for both groups were identical except for the meal pattern. Blood samples were analyzed before and after the investigation for fasting blood sugar [FBS], two-hour post-prandial glucose [2hPP], insulin, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, and molondialdehyde [MDA] concentrations

Results: HbA1c [P=0.00] and body mass index [BMI] [P=0.04] values decreased significantly in the 6 isocaloric meal pattern compared with the controls. There were no significant differences in fasting serum glucose [P=0.09], insulin [P=0.65], total cholesterol [P=0.32], LDL-C [P=0.43], HDL-C [P=0.40] cholesterol, triglyceride [P=0.40], MDA [P=0.13] and 2hPP serum glucose [P=0.30] concentrations between the 6 isocaloric meal and tradition meal pattern

Conclusion: Six isocaloric meal pattern in comparison with the current meal pattern led to weight loss and improved glycemic control. Serum lipid profile and MDA did not change significantly