ERIC Number: EJ1158610
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Does an Effective Theoretically Based Weight Loss Treatment for Middle-Aged Women Work for Young Women?
Johnson, Ping H.; Annesi, James J.
American Journal of Health Education, v48 n6 p382-391 2017
Background: Young adults gain weight faster and suffer from chronic diseases at a younger age than their older counterparts. Existing behavioral obesity treatments included few young adults, and their effects on young adults remain unknown. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore whether a behavioral treatment that was effective in weight loss for mostly middle-aged women would be effective for young women. Methods: One hundred eleven female undergraduates with obesity recruited from a large public university in the Southeastern United States in 2014-2016 received treatment, including 6 individual exercise support sessions over 6 months and 20 biweekly group nutrition sessions. Measurements include weight, waist circumference, physical activity, diet, mood, and exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and self-efficacy at baseline and at months 3 and 6. Results: Attrition was 65.8% at month 3 and 87.4% at month 6. Paired t tests show significant reductions in weight and significant improvements in weight loss-related behaviors and psychological variables at month 3. More average weight was lost at month 6. Discussion: Despite high attrition, the treatment demonstrated some positive effects for the young college women who continued attending sessions. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health Educators should explore reasons for attrition among college students with obesity and develop treatment components to help them lose excess weight.
Descriptors: Body Weight, Females, Adults, Young Adults, Age Differences, Chronic Illness, Obesity, Intervention, Undergraduate Students, State Universities, Exercise, Nutrition Instruction, Measurement, Body Composition, Physical Activity Level, Self Control, Eating Habits, Statistical Analysis, Psychological Patterns, Health Education, Outcomes of Treatment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A