Effects of an intervention on adolescents with overweight / obesity

Abstract

Promoting healthy lifestyles is one way to be and keep healthy. When the individual itself recognizes strengths in its self-management, this can be identified as an approach to change or improve eating behaviors and physical activity in adolescents. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of a multi-component intervention, “Promoting health in Adolescents”, in the BMI and the cognitions related to specific conducts: perception of barriers, benefits and self-efficacy, related to nutrition and physical activity in enrolled adolescents with overweight / obesity in Colombia. This is a quasi-experimental study with an intervention (n= 48) and a control group (n=50), pre-trial, post-trial and follow-up (at 2 and 4 months) measurements. The intervention “Promoting health in Adolescents” was offered to the intervention group. The control group received the annual education activity. The study has the endorsement of the ethics committee of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and the school rectors, and consent and informed assent forms were signed. When comparing the groups after the intervention, there is a difference in the variables Body Mass Index (p=0,000), physical activity (p=0,042) and nutrition (p=0,010). After the intervention, the BMI decreased in the intervention group: 43,8% passed from overweight to normal and obesity decreased from 10,4% to 8,3%. The size of the effect was moderate with a value of 0,571 and were not sustained over time. These results support the approach of the healthy habit modification program in schools.