Community based peer supported weight loss intervention on women with overweight and obesity

Authors : Berna Bilgin Şahin, Erhan Eser

Pages : 173-185

Doi:10.20518/tjph.1411189

View : 26 | Download : 31

Publication Date : 2024-08-16

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the success of the new peer-led weight loss community intervention model in women aged 18-64. Methods: Women leaders in the community (n = 11) were identified to supervise and monitor their target group of women during the intervention which included a balanced diet and regular physical activity program. Initially, all women aged 18–64 in the district (n = 655) were screened and 396 were found to have a BMI > 25.0. Of these, 137 volunteered to participate in the program. 86.9% of the women completed the 3rd month, and 78.1% completed the 6th month of the intervention. Univariate (Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test for dependent groups; Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis, Chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test for independent groups) and Multiple Linear Regression analyses were conducted in the study. Type 1 error limit was accepted as 0.05 in the analyses. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the body weight of the participants in the 3rd (-1.1±2.5 kg) month of the intervention (p<0.05). At 3rd and 6th months of the intervention, 10.9% and 13.1% of women lost at least 5% of their weight, while 8.4% and 11.2% of women jumped to a better BMI category, respectively. Conclusion: The exercise program implemented (regardless of covariate variables) was effective on the weight loss. Community-based peer-led obesity interventions are challenging but promising.
Keywords : Obesity, Prevention And Control, Womens Health, Residence Characterictics