Conclusion
This study evaluated the effect of a self-regulatory weight loss
intervention using a self-efficacy approach for overweight and obese
adolescents. The intervention was effective. The study demonstrated
that the efficacy-enhancing weight management intervention program
helped overweight and obese adolescents to reach their goals because
the intervention group was motivated and participants felt that they
were capable of achieving their pre-set goals and striving for those
behaviours via the cognitive enhancing strategies of learning from each
other and sharing their feelings, experiences and support. Public health
workers can use cognitive social theory to plan programs for high-risk
groups of adolescents with special health needs, such as overweight
and obese schoolchildren and adolescents. Future research is needed
to follow up on the sustainability of the changed behaviours in the
intervention group.