Effects of a Weight Loss Program on Health Knowledge and Health Behaviors among the Overweight and Obesity School Age Children at Srisawat Pittayakhom School, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

Objectives: To study the effects of a weight loss program on health knowledge and health behaviors among obese and overweight schoolchildren in a school in Kanchanaburi Province.

Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was conducted from 25 January to 25 March 2024. The sample consisted of 29 obese and overweight schoolchildren. The intervention was a weight loss program that included dietary control and exercise, based on the concept of modifying health behaviors in three aspects (3 Self), for a period of 8 weeks. Data were collected using a health knowledge test for obesity prevention and a health behavior assessment for obesity prevention. The reliability coefficients of the two instruments were 0.84 and 0.75, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test for independent samples.

Results: After participating in the weight loss program, the sample had significantly higher mean scores for health knowledge and health behaviors (11.31±1.56, 57.14±5.22) compared to before the program (7.38±2.20, 44.28±2.45; p<0.001). The mean weight and body mass index (64.45±11.12, 24.88±2.52) were significantly lower than before the program (67.27±11.03, 26.32±2.54; p=0.001).

Conclusions: The implementation of a weight loss program that incorporates continuous dietary control and exercise has demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of improved health knowledge, enhanced health behaviors, and reduced weight and body mass index among the participating obese and overweight schoolchildren. Therefore, it is recommended that this program be sustained in the long term and replicated in other schools with similar contexts.