Investigating the effect of educational and counseling intervention via smartphone on awareness and behaviors related to sedentary behavior and consumption of fast foods in women with high body mass index referring to comprehensive health service centers in Urmia in 2022

Abstract

Abstract Background and purpose In addition to causing chronic diseases, overweight and obesity in women of reproductive age lead to fertility problems, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and psychological problems. Among the inappropriate behaviors affecting obesity are the consumption of fast foods and sedentary behaviors, which have the greatest impact on overweight and obesity, and require effective interventions. This study aims to investigate the effect of educational and counseling intervention through smartphone on awareness and behaviors related to sedentary behavior and consumption of fast foods in women referring to comprehensive health service centers in Urmia in 2022.Materials and methods In this experimental study, 106 women of reproductive age covered by comprehensive health service centers were selected by simple random sampling and assigned to two intervention and control groups. The tool used in the researcher-made questionnaire included demographic information, awareness questionnaire about sedentary behaviors and fast foods, questionnaires related to the consumption of fast foods and sedentary behavior. The educational intervention in the intervention group was carried out with a designed application. Data analysis was done with SPSS 20 software at a significance level of P < 0.05.Findings: According to the results of statistical T-TEST, there was a significant difference between the control group and the intervention group in terms of the mean scores of awareness about the consumption of fast foods (P < 0.001) and sedentary behaviors (P < 0.001) before and three months after the intervention. Moreover, the average consumption of fast foods (P < 0.001) and hours of sedentary behavior (P < 0.001) before and three months after the intervention showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion educational and counseling programs with the application can be used both to raise awareness about behaviors related to sedentary behavior and consumption of fast foods and to reduce the consumption of fast foods and behaviors related to sedentary behavior.