Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a weight control programs on BMI, nutrition knowledge, physical fitness and stress level of adult obese women. The subjects of this study were 36 adult obese women aged 30-65 years whose BMI were above 23 kg/m2. The weight control program for obese women included nutritional education, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy for 12 weeks. The BMI of the subjects was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) from 27.1 kg/m2 to 26.4 kg/m2 after the 12 weeks of the weight control program. In addition, the weight of body fat was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and % body fat was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) from 35.4% to 34.9% after completion of the weight control program. In addition, nutritional knowledge (p < 0.001) and eating behavior scores (p < 0.01) were significantly increased. However, the food intake scores were not changed after the program. Stress levels of the adult obese women were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) from 85.63 to 66.88 and also obesity stress levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.01) after the weight control program. In the physical fitness levels of the subjects, muscle endurance (p < 0.05) and ability of balance (p < 0.01) were significantly improved after completion of the weight control program. There were positive significant correlations between general stress and obesity stress level (p < 0.05), and negative correlations between stress level and food intake score (p < 0.05). These results showed that the weight control program for adult obese women may be effectively used to improve weight reduction, physical fitness and stress levels.

• Keywords: weight control program; BMI; nutrition knowledge; physical fitness; stress