Eating habits to the quality of life of the patients rehabilitated ate self-help homes

Introduction. Eating habits of the patients rehabilitated at environmental self-help homes have a significant influence on their health, well-being and the intensity with which disease symptoms appear. These factors are important not only in an objective evaluation of patients’ condition but also in patients’ subjective perception of their health and, consequently, the quality of their life. A higher level of knowledge about nutrition, modification of eating habits and supportive social relations may affect the rehabilitation process and patients’ quality of life.

Aim. The study was aimed at defining the relationship between the eating habits and the quality of life of the patients rehabilitated at environmental self-help homes.

Material and methods. The study was carried out in the group of one hundred patients participating in a therapy at environmental self-help homes. In order to eating habits a diagnostic survey method was used with the application of a questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were taken in order to calculate patients’ body mass index (BMI). The quality of life was evaluated by means of WHOQOL-BREF scale.

Results. The study of the relationship between appropriate eating habits and the respondents’ quality of life proved that the better eating habits, the higher quality of life in the psychological sphere. As far as the somatic and social spheres were concerned the quality of life was closely related to the declared level of knowledge. The study also implied that the quality of their life does not depend on their BMI.

Conclusions. Identification and evaluation of selected aspects of the patients’ life which affect their health as well as evaluation of their quality of life as far as their eating habits are concerned may be applied to assess and plan an individual approach to the patient based on the acquired information, and adjust the optimal forms of therapy for the smooth progress of rehabilitation.

Nursing Topics 2015; 23 (4): 508–514