The influence of patients education on body mass reduction
Introduction: Increased body mass contributes to onset of many diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, hiperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Nowdays various methods of body mass reduction such as dietetic, pharmaceutical, surgical and behavioural are used. Education is one of obligatory methods, often used in combination with others. Aim of work: The aim of work was to explore the influence of education on both healthy and diseased individuals on body mass reduction. Methodology: Studied sample consisted of 77 respondents, out of which 39 were healthy, 9 were with diagnosed hypertension, 8 with diabetes, 11 had gastrointestinal disorders and 10 were with allergy symptoms. During the period of the study all patients were provided with education through the leaflet on healthy nutrition, printed menu for seven days and oral consultation. Study period was 3 months. BMI was calculated for each patient at the begining and at the end of study period. Results: Average reduction of BMI in healthy individuals was 3.26 units, in patients with hypertension 3.40, in patients with diabetes 5.08 and in patients with allergic disorders 0.10. Greatest average reduction was noticed in patients with diabetes. Conclusion: Education on healthy nutrition and life style through the leaflet on healthy nutrition, printed menu for seven days and oral consultation has significant influence on body mass reduction of both healthy and diseased individuals. Education of individuals with increased body mass could be very powerfull "weapon" in combating obesity.