Behavioral Modification Model for the Nutritional Status Improvement among Officers in a Public Health Academic Institute
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Date
2010-04-04
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Journal of Public Health
Abstract
A public health academic institute has played an important role in producing and supporting health professionals as well as being good health care role model. However, more than 50% of its officers suffered from overweight, obesity and hyperlipidemia. Thus, there is an urgent necessity to assist them to raise concern and activate their capacity to take good care of their own health. The objective was to develop a behavioral modification model for the nutritional status improvement among officers in the academic institute. The study design was a participatory action research constructed within the framework of both an ecological perspective and social cognitive theory. The study period was during 2006 and 2007 for a total of 14 months. Data collection consisted of anthropometric measurement, lipid profile examination, observation and interview. The findings illustrated that \> 70% of program participants had a decrease in body compositions, and \> 50% had a lipid profile reduction. It also found that problem analysis, context and situation analysis, and action planning as well as indicator determination were beneficial for process development of the behavioral modification model. Program administration was one critical factor leading to success. Strategies facilitating behavioral modification included building concern about the health problem, observational learning, behavioral capability enhancement, reinforcement, social support and self control. Desired healthy behavior leading to appropriate nutritional status will be established and maintained by political support that is tangible and continual.
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Journal of Public Health; Vol.38 No.3 September-December 2008; 304-316