INTRODUCTION:

Health is a resource for life, not the object of living; it is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. All communities have highly variable, unique strengths and health needs; and is a common theme in most cultures. Health is multidimensional and is the condition of being sound in body, mind or spirit especially freedom from physical disease or pain. The factors affecting health may be classified as agent, host and environment. The presence and interaction of these factors initiate the disease process in man. Number of studies have shown that several factors can greatly contribute to enhancing or compromising health which may include unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary life styles, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and non adherence effective medication regimen.

Dietary fat is a vital nutrient our bodies need for health and daily functioning. As an energy source, it supplies essential fatty acids for growth, healthy skin; vitamin-absorption and regulation of bodily functions. A fat are concentrated source of energy and increases the energy density of the diet.

Fats are an important constituent of any diet and play an important role in both health and disease. Consumption of fats in diet, especially those derived from animals sources, elevates blood cholesterol, which is then responsible for atherosclerosis, leading to cardiovascular and other related disorders. Epidemiologic data has shown that Asian Indians have one of the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease, compared to other populations of the world.

The WHO expert committee on prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) has recommended 20 to 30 % of total energy to be provided by fats. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended that daily intake of fat among adults (Man and Women) 20 grams per day.

HYPOTHESES:

H₀₁: There is no significant relationship between the levels of knowledge and attitude regarding consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level among adults.

H₀₂: There is no significant association of knowledge scores of adults with their selected demographic variables.

H₀₃: There is no significant association of attitude scores of adults with their selected demographic variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS USED FOR THE STUDY:

A descriptive correlation design used for the study. 60 Samples were drawn through purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed through mean, median, frequency, percentage, karl pearson correlation coefficient and chi square test.

MAJOR FINDINGS AND RESULT:

The majority of respondents 24(40%) of adults belongs to the age group of 30-40 years .In relation to gender majority of 41 (68.3%) respondents were male. In relation to religion majority of respondents 30 (50%) of adults belongs to Hindu religion. Regarding educational qualification majority of respondents 23 (38.3%) were educated up to degree. Marital status shows that majority of respondents 49 (81.7%) are married and 11 (18.3%) of respondents are unmarried.

Distribution of knowledge scores of adults towards consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level

Distribution of attitude scores of adults towards consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level

Knowledge of adults on consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level.

Figure depicts that majority of the respondents 31 (51.66%) had moderate level of knowledge about consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol whereas 21 (35%) of respondents had adequate level of knowledge and 8 (13.3%) of the respondents had inadequate level of knowledge about consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol.

Attitude of adults on consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level

Above figure depicts that majority of the respondents 45 (75%) have moderate level of attitude about consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol whereas 11 (18.3%) of respondents have unfavorable attitude and 4 (6.66%) of the respondents have most favorable attitude towards consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level.

Correlation of knowledge and attitude score on consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level among adults

N=60

SAMPLE	KNOWLEDGE		ATTITUDE		r-VALUE
SAMPLE	Mean (%)	S.D	Mean (%)	S.D	r-VALUE
ADULTS	67.4	4.40	67.75	12.7	+ 0.80

The table shows that the mean percentage of knowledge of adults is 67.4% with standard deviation 4.40. The mean percentage of attitude of adults is 67.75% with standard deviation 12.7. The correlation coefficient value of knowledge and attitude of adults is + 0.80, which shows that there is a positive relationship exists between knowledge and attitude of adults on consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level. This means more the knowledge better the attitude.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the above findings of the study, implications were drawn for nursing service, administration, education and research. The study concluded that adults have moderate level of knowledge and favorable attitude towards consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol. The correlation coefficient value of knowledge and attitude of adults is + 0.80, which shows that there is a positive relationship exists between knowledge and attitude of adults on consuming fatty diet and blood cholesterol level. This means more the knowledge better the attitude.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Park K. Text book of preventive and social medicine. 16^th edition. Jabalpur: Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers; 2001. P: 11-40.

2. Sathe PV, Sathe AP. Epidemiology and management for health care for all. 2^nd edition. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan; 2000. P: 27-28.

3. Roy k, Tommy M. Importance of fatty foods. Department of Nutrition. http;// www.whereincity .com/medical/fats.

4. Park K. Text book of preventive and social medicine. 17^th edition. Jabalpur: Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers; 2002. P: 414-415.

5. Diet, weight loss and healthy eating. http://weightloss. about.com/nutrition.

6. Gopalan C. Nutritive value of Indian food. 5^th edition. Hyderabad: p: 06.

7. Sharpnel W S, Calvert G D. Nestle G D. National institute of heart foundation. N Enj Med: 1997 Nov 20; p: 1410-1491.

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Received on 30.08.2012 Modified on 01.10.2012

Asian J. Nur. Edu. and Research 2(4): Oct-Dec. 2012; Page 195-196