An Examination of the Effect on Health Protective Behaviour of Diabetes and Obesity Awareness and Personal Characteristics in Adults: Structural Equation Modeling.

OBJECTIVES

The World Health Organization has reported that obesity-related diabetes cases are increasing rapidly. The aim of this study was to examine the effect on health protective behaviour of diabetes and obesity awareness and personal characteristics in adults.

METHOD: This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 1241 participants. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Diabetes and Obesity Awareness Scale and Health Protective Behaviour Scale. Data analysis was performed with IBM SPSS vn.23 and IBM AMOS vn.24 software. STROBE was used in reporting.

RESULTS

Of the total participants, 45.4% had no diabete and obesity awareness and in 44.3%, awareness was very low. Health protective behaviour was at a moderate level (102.53 ± 16.22). The status of being first-degree overweight was seen to directly affect diabetes and obesity awareness (p = 0.011). There was seen to be a direct effect on health protective behaviour of gender (p = 0.005), and of being overweight (p < 0.001). The diabetes and obesity awareness of those who were second-degree overweight had an indirect effect (mediator affect) on protective health behaviour (p = 0.011). The mediator effect of being second-degree overweight was positive 1.859 units.

CONCLUSION

Personal characteristics directly affect diabetes and obesity awareness and protective health behaviour. Body mass index plays a mediating role in demonstrating health-protective behavior as it increases awareness about diabetes and obesity.