Abstract
Title. Effect of dietary behaviour modification on anthropometric indices and eating
behaviour in obese adolescent girls.
Aim. This paper is a report of a study conducted 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.
Method. 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.
Result. There were statistically significant differences in changes in body weight
(2Æ75 kg vs. 0Æ62 kg), body mass index (1Æ07 kg/m2 vs. 0Æ24 kg/m2
) and arm
circumference (2Æ31 cm vs. 0Æ5 cm) in the experimental group in contrast to
controls (P < 0Æ001). There were also statistically significant differences in scores
for eating behaviour, emotional eating (0Æ63, 0Æ17), external eating (0Æ99, 0Æ05) and
restrained eating (0Æ72, 0Æ03) in the experimental vs. the control group respectively
(P < 0Æ001).
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.
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