Effectiveness of modified health belief model-based intervention to reduce body mass index for age in overweight junior high school students in Thailand

Assessing the effectiveness of health belief model-based educational interventions on weight control intentions among Malaysians

Obesity and overweight are major health concerns, with a 19.7% prevalence among Malaysian adults, as reported in the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey. This study assessed the effectiveness of an educational intervention on weight control intention using the Health Belief Model (HBM). A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 140 participants equally divided into an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). Post-intervention, the IG showed significant improvement in perceived self-efficacy in dieting (mean score 3.96 ± 0.85) compared to the CG (3.76 ± 0.86, p = 0.003). Perceived self-efficacy in exercise also increased in the IG (4.12 ± 0.52) compared to the CG (3.51 ± 0.94, p < 0.001). While behavioral intention scores improved in the IG (4.00 ± 0.59), the difference was not significant (p = 0.300). This study highlights that educational interventions using HBM can effectively improve self-efficacy and influence weight control behaviors.

Theory-based obesity intervention program for women: A randomized controlled study

AIMS

To determine the effect of the education and counseling intervention given to overweight and obese women according to the theory of planned behavior on their health behaviors.

METHODS

The study consisted of 78 overweight and obese women in total, between the ages of 18-49. While the women in the intervention group were given a 6-month training program and 6-month counseling service structured according to the theory of planned behavior, the women in the control group were given standard obesity training and were put on hold for 6 months.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in the post-test anthropometric measurement values of the intervention group compared to the pretest. While there was no statistically significant change in the activity status of the control group over time, the inactivity rate of the intervention group decreased; however, the minimal activity rate increased over time. The post-test healthy life style behaviors scale II health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, stress management and total scores of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were significant.

CONCLUSION

It has been determined that the education and counseling services applied to overweight and obese women based on the theory of planned behavior are effective in gaining positive health behaviors.

Effects of virtual interventions based on the theory of planned behavior to improve obesity-preventive lifestyle among girls, during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period for the spread of obesity and overweight. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on promoting obesity-related behaviors in overweight female students in Gachsaran.

METHODS

this quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 female students of the first secondary school in the form of two intervention and control groups. Information related to nutritional status and the structures of the theory of planned behavior were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed. The educational intervention was carried out during five virtual training sessions. The data obtained three months after the intervention were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, version 20, using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and equivalent non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

The present study showed that the scores of the constructs of awareness, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, intention, and nutritional behaviors were significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.001). The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that the two intervention and control groups did not have a significant difference in terms of the average overall physical activity score after the intervention (p = 0.078).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study showed that training based on the theory of planned behavior in the conditions of COVID-19 disease and in a virtual form had an effect on nutritional behavior but could not increase physical activity behavior in adolescents with weight loss.

Strategies to tackle non-communicable diseases in Afghanistan: A scoping review

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are the leading cause of death worldwide and contribute to 74.3% of deaths globally in 2019. The burden of NCDs is escalating in Afghanistan. Currently, every seconds, people in Afghanistan are dying of NCDs. Addressing this challenge in Afghanistan needs effective and practical interventions. This study aimed to identify the strategies developed and implemented in countries with low non-communicable premature death. To conduct a scoping review, we followed the six-step Arksey and O'Malley protocol and searched for eligible articles on eight international databases and the gray literature. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The inclusion criteria were English documents and evidence produced up to 30 November 2021 for the control of NCDs. We excluded incomplete texts, duplicates, and dissertations due to lack of access. We used EndNote X9 and MaxQDA software for data management and analysis. We conducted content analysis for this study. A total of 122 documents developed between 1984 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria. We identified 35 strategies from which the most used strategies were related to unhealthy diets and smoking cessation programs. Canada (26.4%), Korea (19.8%), and the United Kingdom (19%) have the most publications on the control and prevention of NCDs among the countries included in the study. Most strategies were implemented over 2 years (41%). This study recommends specific interventions to control and prevent NCDs for the main risk factors of tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and the main non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health, the WHO country office, and other involved stakeholders can use the findings of this review to design and implement strategies for controlling and preventing NCDs in Afghanistan. International organizations such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Agencies, the World Bank, and other involving communities should invest in strengthening good health governance in Afghanistan. The Afghan Government should focus on promoting and funding health literacy among the public and self-care to control and prevent NCDs.