Fazy gotowości do zmiany zachowań i ich uwarunkowania a zachowania w sferze aktywności fizycznej i żywienia wśród starszych pacjentów objętych w Krakowie opieką pielęgniarek środowiskowo-rodzinnych. Implikacje dla promocji zdrowia

In frame of the European Project CHANGE (Care of Health Advertising New Goals for Elderly people) the study of health behaviours regarding healthy nutrition and physical activity was conducted on patients in age of 60 and more covered with care of community nurses. Objectives: To assess association between physical activity and nutritional habits, stages of change of these behaviors among older patients and other psychosocial conditions regarding planning of health education intervention to change their health behaviours. Methods: 108 persons at age avg. 69.6 (SD 60–87) were interviewed by questionnaire (assessing the frequency of intake of particular food products, physical activity, motivation and stage of change these behaviors, satisfaction with physical condition and general wellbeing) by the trained community nurses. Results: Results showed sedentary style of life in most studied patients. Among physical activity the frequency of daily walking was the highest (69%), while 70% of older people did not exercise. In study group 42% were not aware of importance of physical activity for their health. But the awareness of importance of healthy nutrition was high, and about half of study group (48%) reported that they eat meals with reduced fat, and 80% eat high fiber food. The rules of healthy nutrition were not fully respected. Positive correlations were shown between intention to change, stage of change of health behavior and performance of physical activity and healthy eating. Those behaviors were positively related to well-being and satisfaction with physical condition. Conclusions: Health promotion programs for older patients should be planned in different way depending on their stage of change of health behaviors. There is a need to raise awareness of importance of physical activity, and to educate older patients about recommended types of exercises and recreation. In case of recommendations of healthy nutrition, the awareness is high and performance definitely more frequent, therefore health promotion programs should stimulate development of permanent social support to maintain change of these behaviors.