Do digital health information searches of individuals with chronic diseases affect health literacy and patient empowerment? A path analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between chronically ill patients' behaviors in acquiring and verifying health information from a digital environment with health literacy and patient empowerment using a structural equation modeling approach. METHODS: This study was carried out in a public hospital in Turkey between February and May 2023. The study consisted of 365 participants and used descriptive and correlation-based designs for statistical analyses. It also executed computations for descriptive statistics and correlations to carry out a path analysis to assess model fitness and to identify direct and indirect effects. RESULTS: This study identified that Web 1.0 and health information acquisition and digital verification variables statistically and significantly affected access to information, understanding information, appraisal (valuing)/evaluation, and application/use variables. The study also found that access to information variables was statistically significant on identity/identicalness, self-control, decision-making, and recognition and comprehension. The tested model fit the data well and adequately explained the direct effects of the variables. CONCLUSION: The study concluded by suggestively improving the chronically ill patients' media or digital literacy levels through special training to stimulate their internet use effectively.

Theory-based obesity intervention program for women: A randomized controlled study.

AIMS: To determine the effect of the education and counseling intervention given to overweight and obese women according to the theory of planned behavior on their health behaviors. METHODS: The study consisted of 78 overweight and obese women in total, between the ages of 18-49. While the women in the intervention group were given a 6-month training program and 6-month counseling service structured according to the theory of planned behavior, the women in the control group were given standard obesity training and were put on hold for 6 months. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the post-test anthropometric measurement values of the intervention group compared to the pretest. While there was no statistically significant change in the activity status of the control group over time, the inactivity rate of the intervention group decreased; however, the minimal activity rate increased over time. The post-test healthy life style behaviors scale II health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, stress management and total scores of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were significant. CONCLUSION: It has been determined that the education and counseling services applied to overweight and obese women based on the theory of planned behavior are effective in gaining positive health behaviors.

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among 18- to 49-Year-Old Women: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity has become a remarkable public health concern in a global extent. This study aimed to examine the difference between the healthy lifestyle behaviors of women with normal weight and those who are obese. METHOD: This comparative descriptive study included a total of 302 women aged 18-49 years. RESULTS: According to regression analysis; duration of education (ß = -0.154), (age (ß = 0.376), presence of obese individuals in the family (ß = 0.177) and HLSBS II scores (ß = -0.115) were the factors that affected the BMI. The predictive value of these variables was 34.1%. DISCUSSION: A significant difference was found between women with normal weight and obese women in terms of several sub-dimensions and overall HLSBS II score. We recommend that healthcare staff should design training and counseling services to improve the health behaviors of overweight and obese women.

Effect of education and counseling on anthropometric measures and healthy lifestyle behavior among overweight and obese women.

BACKGROUND: It is extremely important to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors, particularly in overweight and obese women. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of education and counseling on healthy lifestyle behaviors among overweight and obese women who attend a sports center. METHODS: This pretest-posttest interventional study included a total of 60 women aged 18-49 years [intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30)]. The data were collected using an introductory information form, the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Scale II, and an anthropometric measurements follow-up form. The participants in the intervention group were provided with education and counseling. The control group was administered the standard procedure at the sports center. RESULTS: In the pretest comparison of the intervention and control groups, values of health responsibility, interpersonal relations, and spiritual development were greater in the control group than in the intervention group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the posttest comparison, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of waist/hip ratio, BMI, interpersonal relations, and spiritual development (p > 0.05). It was found in multiple regression analysis: the BMI posttest (ß = -0.250, p = 0.028) predict negatively 25% of the HLBS II posttest total score and being in the intervention group (ß = 0.486, p < 0.001) predict positively 49% of (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Training and counseling based on the health promotion model are effective in developing healthy lifestyle behaviors. Women aged 18-49 years should be more frequently monitored in terms of obesity.