Stages of change concept of the transtheoretical model for healthy eating links health literacy and diabetes knowledge to glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Health literacy has been recognized as a key construct associated with clinical outcomes; however, few studies have explored the mechanism underlying the association. The transtheoretical model (TTM) has long been considered a useful conceptualization in the process of intentional behavior change. Stages of change lies at the heart of the TTM as studies of change have found that people move through a series of stages when modifying behavior. This study focuses on the role of knowledge and stages of change (SOC) as serial mediators linking health literacy to glycemic control.



In this cross-sectional survey, a total of 232 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. Participants completed questionnaires for assessing health literacy, readiness to consume healthy foods, and a dietary knowledge test specific to diabetes.



Low health literacy was significantly associated with worse glycemic control. Statistical evaluation supported the serial mediation model, in which knowledge and SOC formed a serial mediation chain that accounted for the indirect effect of health literacy on glycemic control. In other words, dietary knowledge significantly motivated participants to move into the later stages of behavior change, which in turn improved the outcome of glycemic control.



The results indicate that the ordering of mediators in the pathway between health literacy and health outcome may be complex, help explain the conflicting results of the past, and form a basis for the development of interventions promoting self-management of diabetes through glycemic control.
Department of Health Care Management, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd., Kwei-Shan Area, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Research Centre for Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Electronic address: tsenghm@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
Hsu-Min
HM
Tseng
Department of Education & Research, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, No. 95, Wen Chang Road, Shih Lin District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Shu-Fen
SF
Liao
Department of Health Care Management, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd., Kwei-Shan Area, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Research Centre for Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
Yu-Ping
YP
Wen
Department of Health Care Management, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd., Kwei-Shan Area, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; Research Centre for Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
Yuh-Jue
YJ
Chuang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose
Glycemic control; Health literacy; Nutrition education; Stages of change; Transtheoretical model