Effect of Education on Nutritional Knowledge and Stages of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Elders Based on Stages of Change Model

Background and Educational program to enhance elder''s nutritional knowledge to improve their food consumption pattern is essential. A stage of change model (Transtheoretical model) is one of the methods to identify and change in diet. This study was conducted to determine effect of Transtheoretical educational model on nutritional knowledge of elders in Gilane-gharb County in 2010 this qasi-experimental study، implemented with participation of 150 elders sixty ages and above. Participants selected by systematic sampling method and categorized in tow groups (experimental and control) with equal proportions. Data gathering tools that used in this study were: 1- questionnaire of nutritional knowledge related to food pyramid and 2- questionnaire of stages of fruit and vegetable consumption. After implementing pre-test، participants based on stages of change، divided into 5 groups، and educational intervention performed by group discussion and lecture methods; using pamphlet and poster for diverse groups in healthy center (two sessions for pre-contemplation، contemplation، preparation and one session for action and maintenance). Data was analyzed using SPSS17 by use of central indexes، independent and paired T-test، one way ANOVA and chi-square tests. mean age of experimental and control groups were 65. 2 ± 4. 12 and 65. 4 ± 3. 91 respectively. Before educational intervention، differences in other demographic variables، knowledge score and stages of fruit and vegetable consumption between experimental and control groups not significant. Result showed that score mean of knowledge in experimental group promoted (from 7. 82 ± 2. 4 to 10. 4 ± 2. 34) after educational intervention (P<0. 001). Fruit and vegetable consumption in compared before intervention had significant difference and was pushed to motivational (preparation) and more active (action) stages. based on finding of this study، educational program based on the stages of change model، had positive effect on nutritional knowledge and the stages of fruit and vegetable consumption. Since the health of elderly is healthy priority of community، Design and implementation of such interventions to improve nutritional behaviors، seems to be essential for this group.