Evaluation of selected health behaviours in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases - a preliminary report

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2021 Oct 22;49(293):334-336.

Abstract

In treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), regular physical activity (PA) and healthy behaviours play an increasingly important role.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse PA with motivation to undertake it, health behaviours, and level of self-esteem in individuals with IBD.

Materials and methods: The study involved 50 (mean age 39.1±11.5 years) adults with IBD hospitalised in Poznan. The control group consisted of 50 (mean age 40.7±9.1 years) healthy volunteers. The survey included sociodemographic data, Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives (IPAO), Inventory of Health Behaviours (IHB), and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Differences between groups were calculated using the Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05).

Results: Most respondents of both groups did not undertake any PA. The values of IPAO categories in a group with IBD were significantly higher compared to the control group. Also, people with IBD had a statistically more significant value of general intensity index of health behaviour and statistically higher self-esteem than a group of healthy people.

Conclusions: We found that people with IBD show a greater awareness of the impact of their health behaviour on their health when compared to control. However, the authors recorded the unsatisfactory level of motivation to undertake daily PA and practical pro-health activities. In treating these chronically ill patients, physicians should pay more attention to adequate education and motivation for regular exercise and appropriate health behaviours in everyday life.

Keywords: health behaviours; inflammatory bowel diseases; physical activity; self-esteem.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exercise
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases*
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires