The Application of Transtheoretical Model to Identify Metabolic Control and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes is a major and costly health problem for patients and health care system, and requires a change in patient’s lifestyle. The present study aimed to determine the factors predicting fruit and vegetable consumption and HbA1C control in diabetic patients based on the transtheoretical model. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 98 women with diabetes in Qazvin city were recruited. Information regarding demographic characteristic, transtheoretical model questionnaire, HbA1C level and weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables were completed for each participant. The variables were compared using analysis of variance. Results: The mean HbA1C level was 7.87 and the amount of consumed fruit and vegetables was 2.58 units per day. Of all participants, 77.55% were in the pre-action stage and 22.45% in the action stage of consumption of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Diabetic women in action stages of change had significantly higher mean score of self-efficacy (P-value= 0.046) and process of change (P-value= 0.023) compared to women in pre-action stage of change. Conclusion: The results showed that stage of change contributed to the behavior of fruits and vegetables consumption, patients’ self-efficacy and process of change. This study recommends applying transtheoritical model in intervention programs for taking fruits and vegetables in diabetic patients