Positive Health Online

Abstract

SABET SARVESTANI and COLLEAGUES,  Department of Nursing, Fasa University of Medical Science, Iran. rahelehsabet@yahoo.com conducted a study to evaluate the effects of behaviour modification on anthropometric indices and to explore if behaviour modification could improve eating behaviour in adolescents.

Background

Obesity is currently the most important nutritional disease of children and adolescents. To date, several attempts to achieve weight loss in children have been made, but little is known about their effects on improving eating behaviours.

Methodology

Sixty obese adolescent girls participated in a behaviour modification program which was held for 16 weeks in 2007. The participants were randomly selected from two different schools and were assigned to an experimental and control group (30 participants each). Anthropometric indices and eating behaviours were assessed before and after the program. Eating behaviour was assessed using the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in changes in body weight (-2.75 kg vs. 0.62 kg), body mass index (-1.07 kg/m(2) vs. 0.24 kg/m(2)) and arm circumference (-2.31 cm vs. 0.5 cm) in the experimental group in contrast to controls (P < 0.001). There were also statistically significant differences in scores for eating behaviour, emotional eating (0.63, 0.17), external eating (0.99, 0.05) and restrained eating (0.72, 0.03) in the experimental vs. the control group respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Nurses, more than other healthcare professionals, can address obesity in adolescents and they should not concentrate solely on weight reduction, but also encourage children to acquire a healthy lifestyle.

References

Sabet Sarvestani R, Jamalfard MH, Kargar M, Kaveh MH and Tabatabaee HR. Effect of dietary behaviour modification on anthropometric indices and eating behaviour in obese adolescent girls. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 65 (8):1670-5. Aug 2009.