Content area
Purpose
The goal of this study was to assess changes in eating self-efficacy after participating in a brief psychoeducational group intervention, grounded in the cognitive-behavioral model, delivered by dieticians in community-based health facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental, pre-post design. A total of 110 program participants took part in the study. They were asked to complete the Eating Self-Efficacy Scale before the start of the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and three months after the intervention ended. Data were analyzed using the Linear Mixed Model.
Findings
Participants’ personal sense of control over their eating behaviors significantly increased after they completed the program and continued to increase up to the three-month follow-up. The effect of the intervention remained significant after controlling for differences in age and whether participants had access to other forms of individual support or completed the follow-up during the COVID-19 general lockdown.
Practical implications
By promoting participants’ sense of eating self-efficacy, this intervention could lead to positive dietary changes, which in turn could promote better health and healthy aging.
Social implications
This community intervention is readily accessible and represents a cost-effective approach to promote healthy eating, reducing the risk of chronic disease and the need for medical care, thereby cutting costs for the healthcare system.
Originality/value
(1) This study addresses a gap in the scientific literature as there was limited published research to date that investigated this intervention. (2) The three-month follow-up made it possible to evaluate whether changes in eating self-efficacy were maintained over time. (3) Potential confounding variables, including age, having access to other forms of individual support and the COVID-19 general lockdown, were taken into account.
Details
Social Behavior;
Behavior Standards;
Self Efficacy;
Cognitive Restructuring;
Psychotherapy;
Behavior Patterns;
Modeling (Psychology);
Medical Services;
Psychological Patterns;
Food;
Cost Effectiveness;
Social Influences;
Eating Habits;
Control Groups;
Eating Disorders;
Beliefs;
Quasiexperimental Design;
Health Behavior;
Dietetics;
Compliance (Psychology);
Behavior Change
Healthy food;
Eating behavior;
Intervention;
Personal control;
Cognitive behavioral therapy;
Dietary guidelines;
Influence;
Cost analysis;
Health care;
COVID-19;
Binge eating;
Licenses;
Brief interventions;
Self-efficacy;
Health care expenditures;
Quasi-experimental methods;
Sense of control;
Age differences;
Emotions;
Access;
Chronic illnesses;
Eating disorders;
Social norms;
Cognitive-behavioral factors;
Community health care;
Medical personnel;
Health promotion;
Health education;
Aging;
Public health;
Models;
Self evaluation;
Community;
Changes;
Locus of control;
Health services;
Mental health
