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
Sompong Chaiopanont MD*
Affiliation :
* Bureau of Technical Advisor, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
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.
Keywords : Health behavior change to control weight, Overweight and obesity
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