Association of Body Image and Health Beliefs With Health Behaviors in Patients With Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between body image, health beliefs, and health behavior in patients with diabetes classified according to body mass index (BMI).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a community hospital between January and April 2010. One-hundred-sixty-eight patients with diabetes were enrolled. Main measure was the previously published and validated Health Belief Questionnaire. Data were analyzed and compared between two groups, one with BMI ≥ 24 Kg/m² and another with BMI < 24 Kg/m².

Results

Perceived body image affected health behavior of patients with BMI ≥ 24 Kg/m² but did not affect health behavior in patients with BMI < 24 Kg/m². Multivariate analysis found a positive association between health behavior and appearance evaluation and between health behavior and health evaluation in high BMI group. No significant association was found between body image and health behavior in the low BMI group. Patients with high BMI had lower body image than patients with low BMI as demonstrated by results of appearance evaluation, health evaluation, prevention behavior, and benefits.

Conclusions

Perceived body image and health beliefs are associated with self-reported health behavior among patients with diabetes with BMI measurement greater than 24 Kg/m². Diabetes educators may apply the findings of this study and the Health Belief Questionnaire to instruct and monitor patients with diabetes about self management behaviors.