Community based peer supported weight loss intervention on women with overweight and obesity
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, Women’s Health, Residence Characterictics
Supporting Institution
Supported by Manisa Celal Bayar University Research Projects Coordination Office
Project Number
It was granted by the Manisa Celal Bayar University Research Projects Coordination Office through Project Grant Number 2018-013.
Ethical Statement
This study is approved by Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Researches Ethical Committee (Date: 21/06/2017, Decision no. 25160. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Thanks
We acknowledge their very valuable support of family health center staff, Dr.Ersan Erhan Demir and Midwife Zeliha Demir, dietitian Didem Karakaş, trainer Şule Özgüneş and pharmacist Kıymet Sayitoğlu Özbek.
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