Analyses on the Factors Related to Stages of Dietary Behavioral Changes among Child Bearing Aged Women

ABSTRACT

This study examined the factors related to stages of dietary behavioral changes among 1449 child bearing aged women (mean age +/- SD = 25.6 +/- 5.3 years) residing in large cities. A self administered questionnaire was used to assess stages of dietary behavioral change, meal balance and regularity, food availability, nutrition knowledge, body mass index, nutrient intake, and psycho-social factors including self efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, social modeling. Undesirable dietary behaviors (precontemplation and contemplation) were shown among 45.1-57.4% of the participants, among those, 33.4-43.0% were precontemplators. Participants'' self efficacy scores associated with dietary changes were higher in specific situations (3.42) as compared to general situations (2.86). Similarly, they appeared to perceive more benefits (3.86) rather than barriers (2.76) by changing their inappropriate eating habits. Perception and accuracy scores of nutrition knowledge were relatively high, indicating 90.9 and 80.1, respectively. In terms of food availability at home, fresh fruits received the highest score, followed by milk and milk products, vegetables, meat, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. In social modeling assessment, family members, as compared to friends, appeared to have better dietary habits. Stages of dietary behavioral change assessed in terms of meal regularity were associated with nutrient intake, showing higher energy and carbohydrate intakes but lower fat intake among those who belonged to the action and maintenance stage. They also presented higher self efficacy and perceived more benefits and less barriers regarding the change of undesirable eating habits. Fresh meat and vegetables were more available among those maintaining desirable dietary habits. Results of this study presented the significant relations of motivational and reinforcing social factors with stages of dietary behavioral changes and a need for the development of tailored nutrition education program considering these factors for child-bearing aged Korean women.