Factors Behind Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among the Elderly with Functional Constipation: A Study Based on the Health Belief Model

Abstract

Background and Aim: Functional constipation is one of the most common health problems in older adults. Its development greatly depends on nutritional status in that a high fiber diet including fruits and vegetables can prevent or manage it. The present study aimed at assessing vegetable and fruit consumption among the elderly with functional constipation, based on the health belief model. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 163 elderly people aged 60 and older, who referred to retirement houses located in Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. The Rome III diagnostic criteria were used for functional constipation screening. Moreover, a demographic questionnaire, a researcher-made questionnaire developed based on the constructs of the health belief model, and a researcher-made 24-hour fruit and vegetable consumption checklist were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS Software (V, 20.0) and by running independent sample t test, Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis at a significance level of less than 0.05.