Effects of the nutrition education intervention on food security, anthropometry, and body composition in women: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity as a social determinant of health is associated with adverse physical health outcomes such as obesity. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nutrition education intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TTM) on food security, anthropometry, and body composition status. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, an intervention was conducted over months (five weeks) using the TTM among 160 women aged 19-64 years. Food security status, anthropometry, and body composition were determined three times: at baseline, three months, and six months after the intervention. RESULTS: In the intervention group, food insecurity significantly decreased before, immediately after, and six months after the intervention, these changes were significant in follow-up time and treatment effect. After six months of follow-up, the intervention group significantly decreased weight (-1.29 kg), body mass index (-0.54), and waist circumference (-3.48 cm). Although differences between the two groups were not statistically significant except in the interaction between follow-up time and intervention groups. Also, the mean of fat mass and total body water decreased in the intervention group and differences between the two groups were statistically significant in follow-up time (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) and interaction between follow-up time and intervention group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the current study, the findings of a six-month TTM-based intervention among women were positive that revealed to be a strategy that may improve anthropometric and nutritional status. Therefore, government programs that offer nutrition counseling should be prioritized to help the population to improve their eating habits.