Factors Associated With Food Consumption and Exercise Behavior Among the Risk Group of Methabolic Syndrome the Risk Group of Methabolic Syndrome*

Abstract

Promoting appropriate food consumption and exercise behavior of people at risk of metabolic
syndrome will help lower the morbidity of the disease. This survey research aimed to study the factors
associated with food consumption and exercise behavior among 185 cases at risk of metabolic
syndrome, aged 35-60 years, who resided in the areas covered by Ban-nonghoy Subdistrict Health
Promotion Hospital, Phug-KhaSubdistrict, Watananakorn District, Srakaew Province. The data were
collected by interviews schedule from February to March, 2012. Data analysis was done by computing
frequency, percentage, mean, Chi-Square, Spearman’s rho and Pearson’s product moment correlation.
The research results showed that 56.2 percent of the sample at risk of metabolic syndrome had
food consumption behavior at the needs to be improved level and 70.2 percent had exercise behavior
at the of needs to be improved level. The factors found to be associated with food consumption
behavior of the sample at risk of metabolic syndrome were perceived self-efficacy (p<0.001), and
buying sweets more than three times per week (p=0.010). The factors that were found to be associated
with exercise were perceived self-efficacy (p<0.001), social support from family members (p<0.001),
friends/ neighbors (p<0.001) and public health personnel (p=0.002). Thus, this program should be
emphasized on self-efficacy regarding diet and exercise behaviors and increasing social support from
family members, friends and public health personnel should be developed.