Health-related lifestyle, knowledge of diabetes and perception of risk among selected obese rural women in Pampanga

• Main Author: Garcia, Irish Arvin Pineda
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: Obesity in women > Health; Overweight women > Health; Diabetes
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4218
• Institution: De La Salle University

Lifestyle has become significant in influencing health. But despite the benefits of healthy lifestyles, the number of people affected by lifestyle-related diseases, diabetes in particular, is still on the rise. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of socio-demographic factors and knowledge of diabetes on the health-related lifestyle of selected obese rural women in Pampanga. The effect of lifestyle and knowledge to the perception of risk for diabetes was also investigated. A quantitative design using survey was used in gathering data from 101 purposively selected obese rural women. Data on socio-demographics, knowledge of diabetes, health-related lifestyle and perception of risk for diabetes were collected via face-to-face interviews and were described, and analyze using logistic and linear regressions. More than 84% of respondents had unhealthy lifestyle and the most prevalent pattern was inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. Sixty-nine percent had low levels of knowledge. Monthly income of Php10,000 to Php29,000 was significantly related to higher odds of unhealthy lifestyle in general, Being in the 40-95 and 60 and older age groups, and earning Php30,000 or more were significantly related to higher odds of physical inactivity. Age group 40-59 years old was associated with alcohol intake and specific knowledge about general information, and management and treatment of diabetes. Unhealthy lifestyle prevalent among obese rural women and it is affected by their age and income level. Knowledge of diabetes lacks significant association with lifestyle therefore, it is not good target for health-promoting efforts. However, it was found to be associated with perception of risk, and this association depended on the depth of knowledge information. These findings demonstrate the challenges for healthcare and support the need for initiating further studies to understand other factors that affect lifestyle especially in specific populations.