The effect of educational intervention on the lifestyle changes of elderly people with diabetes
Tayebeh Rakhshani1, Paria Rastegar2, Seyyed Mansour Kashfi2
1Nutrition Research Center, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Background:
Diabetes is a common chronic disease among the elderly, with significant complications if not managed through a healthy lifestyle. This study evaluated the impact of an educational intervention on lifestyle changes in elderly individuals with diabetes in Yasuj, Iran.
Methods:
This quasi-interventional study included 80 elderly individuals with diabetes in Yasuj, Iran, selected via multi-stage cluster sampling from four health centers. Two centers were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 40) and two to the control group (n = 40). The intervention group participated in six weekly 60-minute educational sessions based on Walker's health-promoting lifestyle model, covering nutrition, physical activity, stress management, interpersonal relationships, and spirituality through lectures, group discussions, and visual aids. The control group received routine care. Lifestyle components were assessed using Walker's health style questionnaire before and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests.
Results:
Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in the total lifestyle scores (p = 0.82) or any of its sub-scores, including nutrition (p = 0.75), physical activity (p = 0.76), responsibility (p = 0.74), stress management (p = 0.91), interpersonal relationships (p = 0.84), and spiritual growth (p = 0.92). After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher total lifestyle scores (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. Significant improvements were also observed in all sub-scores, including nutrition (p = 0.001), physical activity (p = 0.001), responsibility (p = 0.001), stress management (p = 0.001), interpersonal relationships (p = 0.001), and spiritual growth (p = 0.001).
Conclusion:
The lifestyle-based educational intervention significantly improved participants' ability to adopt healthier behaviors, including better nutrition, physical activity, and stress management, leading to an overall enhancement in their lifestyle. These improvements suggest that such interventions can play a key role in diabetes management and the prevention of related complications in elderly individuals. Future research should explore long-term impacts and the integration of similar educational programs into broader public health strategies.
More Related Videos
05:06Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise
Published on: July 14, 2023
07:22Glycemic Impact on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms on Physical, Radiographic, and Inflammatory Markers among Individuals Aged 50 and Over with Diabetes
Published on: March 7, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
