Structural Role of Perceived Benefits and Barriers in Receiving Macronutrients in Women with Metabolic Syndrome; A Path Analysis Study

Metabolic syndrome is affected by many factors and nutritional behavior is one the most important of these factors. In this study we intend to evaluate perceived benefits and barriers، as the two influential factors to establish and maintain effective nutritional behavior، on predicting macronutrient intake in people with metabolic syndrome.

In this cross-sectional study، 329 female patients، with metabolic syndrome، from 5 health centers of the Isfahan Oil Industry were selected in a systematic manner. A self-designed questionnaire that was designed based on the health promotion model and its validity and reliability were assessed in different stages، was used for data collection in 11 parts. Finally، the data was analyzed with 95% confidence intervals by SPSS and AMOS.

Our results show a direct correlation between perceived barriers and macronutrient intake، and an inverse correlation between perceived benefits and macronutrient intake. The final model showed that perceived barriers can predict a 72% change in energy، 51% protein، 42% carbohydrate، and 88% fat intake. Moreover، perceived benefits can predict 22% change in energy intake، 18% protein، 35% carbohydrates، and 56% fat intake.

In this study، perceived barriers have a greater predictive ability to determine macronutrient intake than perceived benefits. Therefore، according to the various perceived barriers، we cannot expect suitable nutritional care in these patients.