Factors Affecting a Healthy Diet Based on the Integrated Model for Behavioral Change in Patients with Gastric Cancer: Cross-Sectional Study

To investigate the factors affecting a healthy diet in patients with gastric cancer.Data from 146 consecutive patients with gastric cancer were collected based on the integrated model for behavior change. Core theory constructs were operationalized with decisional balance on a healthy diet, self-efficacy in fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and diet planning, coping planning and self-leadership, and stages of change in F&V intake and adhering to a diet plan.Higher self-efficacy in F&V intake and diet planning were associated with a higher readiness for change in F&V intake (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for self-efficacy, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.04) and for adhering to a diet plan (aOR for self-efficacy, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; aOR for diet planning, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04). Coping planning was a determinant of readiness for change in F&V intake (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04). Self-leadership in behavioral awareness and volition (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03) and task motivation (aOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03) were determinants of readiness for change in adhering to a diet plan.Self-efficacy and coping planning were determinants of readiness for change in F&V intake in patients with gastric cancer. Self-efficacy and self-leadership were determinants of readiness for change in adhering to a diet plan in patients with gastric cancer. Improving self-efficacy, coping planning, and self-leadership is essential for changing behaviors to adopt a healthy diet. Nurses caring for patients with gastric cancer should identify strategies that improve self-efficacy in F&V intake and diet planning.