Effect of Health Education on Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity among Female Teachers Aged 40–60 Years in Asmara, Eritrea: A Quasiexperimental Study

Abstract

Background. Middle age is a period in women’s life where many changes occur in their bodies due to the decline of gonadotropins. As a result, they face various vasomotor, psychological, and somatic symptoms. Moreover, chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and osteoporosis are prevalent at this time. Healthy nutrition and physical activity are effective factors to reduce the problems of menopause faced during middle age. Objective. This study aimed at assessing the effect of health education on healthy nutrition and physical activity among 40–60-year-old female teachers in elementary, junior, and secondary schools of Asmara. Method. A quasiexperimental design was used in this study. The data were collected from 99 middle-age female teachers who were selected by stratified random sampling. The intervention was conducted using lecture, brochure, and group discussion for a total of 3 hours. Data on physical activity and healthy nutrition were collecting using HPLP- II subscales physical activity and nutrition. Sociodemographic data were collected using a predesigned questionnaire. The effect of educational training at preintervention and postintervention was evaluated by the paired t-test and factorial mixed ANOVA using SPSS (version 22). Results. The mean score of practicing healthy diet and physical activity at preintervention and postintervention was 27/44 (SD = 4.20) and 31/44 (SD = 5.36), respectively. A significant difference in the scores of practicing healthy diet and physical activity was observed after the educational intervention (MD = 4.06, 95% CI 2.95–5.17, p<0.0001). The effectiveness of health education was seen across the categories of age, educational level, and occupational level where none of them showed significant interaction, displaying similar effect of educational intervention across all categories of the demographic variables. Conclusion. The structured educational intervention was beneficial for the studied women in changing their practice on healthy nutrition and physical activity.

A scoping review of behavior change techniques used to promote physical activity among women in midlife

“…Less than half ( k = 18, 35%) indicated that eligibility required baseline physical activity to be below a certain threshold, and a total of 8 different thresholds were reported (e.g., < 150 mins of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, no regular exercise). The majority of articles ( k = 31, 60%) also indicated that they recruited a specific subset of women in midlife, such as those who work in school systems (e.g., Gebretatyos et al, 2020 ), women with overweight or obesity (e.g., Kuller et al, 2012 ), or underserved groups (e.g., those below the poverty line; Samuel-Hodge et al, 2009 ).…”

“…For example, 18% ( k = 9) of the included articles noted that their programs recruited women in midlife who were primarily un- or under-insured, or otherwise had low socioeconomic statuses (Keyserling et al, 2008 ; Samuel-Hodge et al, 2009 , 2013 ; Hayashi et al, 2010 ; Khare et al, 2012 ; Scarinci et al, 2014 ; Agomo et al, 2015 ; Thomas et al, 2016 ; Kim et al, 2019 ). An additional 27% ( k = 14) mainly or exclusively included women in midlife who identified with various racial or ethnic minority identities (Fitzgibbon et al, 2005 ; Gaston et al, 2007 ; Wilbur et al, 2008 , 2016 , 2017 ; Zenk et al, 2009 ; Sharpe et al, 2010 ; Khare et al, 2012 ; Samuel-Hodge et al, 2013 ; Scarinci et al, 2014 ; Agomo et al, 2015 ; Koniak-Griffin et al, 2015 ; Thomas et al, 2016 ; Gebretatyos et al, 2020 ).…”

Effectiveness of a Program Based on Telehealth in Nutritional Knowledge and Body Mass Index in Peruvian University Teachers

“…36,37 Therefore, the prevention of overweight and obesity in university teachers requires preventive interventions and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. 12,38 For this, the university must ensure learning of an education with a preventive promotional approach, which represents the pillars of the development of a culture of healthy life that involves both teachers and students to improve their lifestyle practices and build healthy environments. Assuming this role on the part of the university community implies permanently articulating research, action and training in the study plans of school and university programs.…”

A Scoping Review of Behavior Change Techniques Used to Promote Physical Activity among Women in Midlife

“…Less than half (k = 18, 35%) indicated that eligibility required baseline PA to be below a certain threshold, and a total of 8 different thresholds were reported (e.g., <150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week, no regular exercise). The majority of articles (k = 31, 60%) also indicated that they recruited a specific subset of women in midlife, such as African American women (e.g., Thomas et al, 2016), those who work in school systems (e.g., Gebretatyos et al, 2020), women with overweight or obesity (e.g., Kuller et al, 2012), or underserved groups (e.g., those below the poverty line or un/underinsured; Samuel-Hodge et al, 2009).…”