Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the effects of a transtheoretical model (TTM) based exercise
counseling offered with music skipping rope exercise on components of the TTM (stages of change,
decisional balance, and self-efficacy), body mass index, glucose, and lipid profile of overweight/obese
children in Korea.
Methods: This study used a nonequivalent pretest and posttest experimental study design. A total of 75
overweight/obese children participated in the study. Eight sessions of exercise counseling combined with
music skipping rope exercise for 12 weeks were offered for children in the experimental group, while
one session of exercise counseling with music skipping rope exercise for 12 weeks was offered for
children in the control group. Outcomes were measured at baseline, and 6 months after the intervention.
Results: After the intervention, self-efficacy significantly improved among children in the experimental
group (p ผ .049), while these children maintained their baseline BMI at 6-month follow-up (p > .05).
Among children in the control group, BMI significantly increased (p < .05). Fasting blood sugar significantly
increased for both groups after the intervention (p < .05). However, a greater increase was
observed for the control group.
Conclusions: Our study partially supports the hypothesis that a TTM-based exercise intervention is
effective in maintaining BMI and improving self-efficacy of overweight/obese children. The TTM-based
counseling combined with exercise classes has potential to control weight among overweight/obese
children, while involvement of parents and children in the development of the theory-based intervention
may generate further benefits regarding health and well-being of overweight/obese children.
Copyright © 2016, Korean Society of Nursing Science. Published by Elsevier. This is an open access article