A correlational study of health beliefs and compliance with a sodium-restricted diet

Abstract

The relationship between health beliefs, based on the Health Beliefs Model, and compliance with a sodium-restricted diet was investigated. Significant predictors of compliance and the relationships among compliance measures were also investigated. The Health Beliefs Questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 30 hypertensive elderly subjects. Overnight urine chloride, questionnaire (added salt and salty foods), blood pressure, and dietary recall operationalized compliance. No significant relationship was found between a total health beliefs score, perceived resusceptibility to hypertension, and perceived severity of hypertension and compliance. Perceived benefits of antihypertension treatment had significant relationships with urine chloride (r = 0.41) and blood pressure (r = 0.35). Age, a significant predictor, accounted for 12% of compliance. Urine chloride significantly correlated with added salt (r = 0.44), salty foods (r = 0.44), and blood pressure (r = 0.45). Barriers to a sodium-restricted diet were categorized as no control of salt in prepared foods, desire for salt, addictive behavior, and beliefs about salt.