title: Factors associated with health-promoting behavior of people with or at high risk of metabolic syndrome: Based on the health belief model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to identify the associations between self-efficacy and the various factors in the Health Belief Model (HBM), and the health-promoting behaviors of people with, or at high risk of, Metabolic Syndrome (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  132 adults with two or more MS components were included in this cross-sectional study. Health-promoting behavior, self-efficacy and the four-constructs of HBM (perceived threat, cues, benefits, and barriers) were measured using validated tools. The contributions of each HBM factor towards the respective behavior were identified using a three-step hierarchical regression approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for age, gender, education level, income and knowledge of MS, HBM factors accounted for 11% of the total variance in health-promoting behaviors. Beliefs about barriers were found to be a significant predictor of exercise (β=-.28, p<.01) and diet management (β=-.24, p=<.01), suggesting that a higher level of perceived barrier was associated with a lower frequency of health-promoting behaviors. In the final model, self-efficacy explained an additional 31% of the variance in exercise behavior and 13% in diet management behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-efficacy and perceived barriers made independent contributions to health-promoting behavior among people with, or at high risk of, MS. Community health program targeting this particular group should tailor strategies that can enhance individuals' self-efficacy and address barriers perceived.
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sally Wai Sze
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address: sychair@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Sek Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chair
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Fung Kam
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Health education; Health promotion; Metabolic syndrome; Patient education; Primary health care