[Health-promoting education in nutrition as a factor modifying dietary habits in menopausal women].

The study was aimed at evaluating effects of health-promoting education in nutrition on changes in incorrect dietary habits and on effects of those changes on blood parameters regarded as diagnostic for medical purposes. The study, carried out in 1991-2003, involved 1648 women aged 45-54 years with Body Bass Index (BMI) higher than 30 and 40, i.e., indicative of second and third degree obesity. The women participated in a 4-month-long nutrition course. The classes, held once a week and two 45-minute periods each, were taught to groups of 20-22 individuals. The curriculum encompassed information on: fundamentals of alimentary tract function; physiological role and sources of as well as demand for basic nutrients, vitamins, micro- and macroelements; the role of water and acid-base equilibrium in nutrition; nutrition-based prophylaxis of circulatory diseases, insulin-independent diabetes, and diet-depending cancers; and numerous other problems of physiology and dietetics. The 4-month-long period of health-promoting education in nutrition was found to result in significant improvement of dietary habits (increased consumption of dairy products, whole-meal grain products, pulses, fruits, vegetables, and fluids, accompanied by a reduced intake of meat products, sugar, and sweets). The changes gave rise to a slow, but consistent body weight reduction and normalisation of contents of hormones and blood biochemical components analysed.