Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

  Background : Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors for coronary heart disease and diabetes with every day increasing number of sufferers . This study aimed to determine the effect of an educational program on improvement of perceived self-efficacy on the control of metabolic syndrome risk factors.

  Methods : In this randomized pretest-posttest control group study, 182 women with metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into two experimental or control groups . The self-efficacy questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire were used. Also, a data sheet was used to record data on waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure , TG, HDL and FBS . After data collection, educational interventions were conducted in 3 sessions, and 3 months after intervention , post-test results were collected . The dependent and independent T -test data were analyzed by SPSS software .

  Results : Mean scores of self-efficacy and macronutrient consumption in experimental group after educational intervention was significantly different from control group. Also, in the experimental group, the mean of waist circumference decreased 4.2 centimeter, triglycerides concentration 54.15 mg/dL, fasting blood sugar, 61.13 mg/dL systolic blood pressure 7.42 mmHg and diastolic 9.55 mmHg, and mean of HDL increased 5.87 mg/dL that based on the average percent changes, this changes is significantly greater than the control group .

  Conclusions : Increased self-efficacy could become a trusted approach to encourage patients to follow a healthy diet with reduced fat, carbohydrate , and energy intake and consequently , may reduc the risk factors of metabolic syndrome .