Effectiveness of nutritional education on nutritional behavior and anthropometric indexes among patients with hypertension based on the health promotion model

This study measured the effectiveness of nutrition education on anthropometric indexes and dietary commitment among patients with hypertension based on the Pender Model of Health Promotion. A quasi-experimental study was conducted on patients with hypertension. 40 patients in the control and 40 patients in the intervention group were investigated. Data were collected by distributing valid questionnaires about model constructs and testing 3-day diet record. Education was just conducted in the intervention arm including six sessions during three weeks and follow-up two and six months after education. Nearly three quarters of patients (70% in the intervention, 75% in the control group) were female. According to the educational status, 45% in the intervention and 37.5% in the control group were illiterate. Given the family history of hypertension, 40 and 47.5 % of participants in the intervention and control group had family history, respectively. There was no difference between the two groups regarding constructs of the HPM, anthropometric indexes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and nutritional behavior before education, while after education all variables were notably changed in 2 and 6-months' follow-up. The most important predictor of nutritional behavior was the perceived benefits, while the weakest predictor was the affects related to the nutritional behavior. Education based on Pender Model of Health Promotion is useful to improve nutritional behaviors in patients with hypertension to the Iranian health system.