A 3-Years-Follow-Up Study of the Effect of the Weight Control Program on KAP and Behavior among Overweight and Obese School Children in Nonthaburi Province.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of a program on behavioral change to control weight on overweight and obese students at a primary school in 2013. The present study aimed to find whether the Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) and behavior on weight control from the behavioral change program were sustained.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This cross-sectional study was performed on overweight and obesity (OWOB) students in a primary school between June 2013 and July 2016. At the first visit in 2013, the affected students, parents, health education teachers, and food retailers were educated about the Behavior Change Program. They were then given 3-month interventions. Weight and height of the participants were recorded before and after interventions. The present study collected information on behaviors and factors associated with weight control of the affected students and parents at the two schools in July 2016 for comparison. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and Chi-square test were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Review of the Behavior Change Program in 2013 showed that after three months-interventions 18% and 24% of 50 students had reduction and weight stability, respectively. The present study could follow 45 students. The comparison group consists of 50 students from another school who were matched by private-own type included capacity of the school, students of the same age group, and study classes. The analysis showed that three years after the program, the intervention group had more interest in weight control, and scored higher on food consumption behavior. Parents of the intervention group were older, had higher education, chronic illness, knowledge scores on food consumption and physical activities, and had higher parental attitude scores.

CONCLUSION

The behavior change program resulted in 42% weight control. The present study found that sustained behavior and significant factors were personal factor (interest to control weight), behavioral factor about food consumption, and parental factors of older age, more chronic illness, higher education, better knowledge on food consumption and physical activities, and better attitude.