Table 5 Correlation matrix of study variables and adherence to a healthy diet before intervention

1. Expect outcomes

1

2. Beliefs in the effectiveness of some food stuff on the neutralization of sugar intake in other ones

0.796*

1

3. Beliefs related to the consumption rate of some food stuff

0.789*

0.804*

1

4. Beliefs about healthy foods

0.803*

0.786*

0.793*

1

5. Exaggerated beliefs

− 0.746*

− 0.666*

− 0.673*

− 0.665*

1

6. Spiritual beliefs

0.667*

0.634*

0.615*

0.620*

− 0.576*

1

7. Self-efficacy

0.805*

0.727*

0.733*

0.779*

− 0.663*

0.677*

1

8. Concerns caused by economic difficulties

− 0.605*

− 0.607*

− 0.632*

− 0.700*

0.575*

− 0.488*

− 0.654*

1

9. Fears and concerns about the complications of adherence to a diabetic diet

− 0.769*

− 0.709*

− 0.708*

− 0.768*

0.722*

− 0.664*

− 0.763*

0.692*

1

10. Concerns about feeling like a burden and inattention by family members

− 0.622*

− 0.628*

− 0.644*

− 0.608*

0.646*

− 0.571*

− 0.639*

0.569*

0.713*

1

11. Discomfort caused by life-changing miseries

− 0.552*

− 0.504*

− 0.565*

− 0.522*

0.595*

− 0.545

− 0.614*

0.522*

0.617*

0.659*

1

12. Adherence to a healthy diet

0.703*

0.604*

0.645*

0.700*

− 0.705*

0.536*

0.699*

− 0.628

− 0.699*

− 0.587*

− 0.515*

1