Using Transtheoretical Model to Facilitate Cardiovascular Dietary Knowledge and Behaviour in an Urban Community Setting

Background The aim of this study is to explore the impacts of using an innovative stage-based behaviour change communication strategy to facilitate dietary knowledge and behaviour change associated with reduced cardiovascular disease within an urban context. Methods The community-based dietary intervention was designed and carried out in partnership with the members of a community in an urban population context. The general knowledge of the participants on the relationship between healthy eating and cardiovascular health using five-point Likert scale questionnaire were investigated. This was followed by early interviews. This informed the need for an educational intervention on ‘healthy eating’ and ‘interpretation of food labels’ as it affects healthy eating. Results The change in dietary knowledge and behaviour associated with reduced cardiovascular disease increased from week 4 all through to week 14 which marks the end of the intervention. The participants reported trying a new behaviour relating to consumption of fruit and vegetable at week 4 and adopting it at week 10. The participants maintained cardiovascular dietary behaviour at week 12, and told others about their new behaviour at week 14. Conclusion A dietary change intervention designed and implemented collaboratively with community members within an urban population context in a participatory action research is useful in facilitating change in knowledge and dietary behaviour within a month. As participants moved along the change continuum, cardiovascular health friendly dietary Knowledge and intake increased, barriers associated with dietary change steadily decreased, whilst dietary-self efficacy increased.