| Abstrakt: |
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the success of the new peer-led weight loss community intervention model in women aged 18-64. Methods: Women leaders in the community (n = 11) were identified to supervise and monitor their target group of women during the intervention which included a balanced diet and regular physical activity program. Initially, all women aged 18-64 in the district (n = 655) were screened and 396 were found to have a BMI > 25.0. Of these, 137 volunteered to participate in the program. 86.9% of the women completed the 3rd month, and 78.1% completed the 6th month of the intervention. Univariate (Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test for dependent groups; Student's t test, Mann--Whitney U test, Kruskal--Wallis, Chi- square, and Fisher's exact test for independent groups) and Multiple Linear Regression analyses were conducted in the study. Type 1 error limit was accepted as 0.05 in the analyses. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the body weight of the participants in the 3rd (-1.1±2.5 kg) month of the intervention (p<0.05). At 3rd and 6th months of the intervention, 10.9% and 13.1% of women lost at least 5% of their weight, while 8.4% and 11.2% of women jumped to a better BMI category, respectively. Conclusion: The exercise program implemented (regardless of covariate variables) was effective on the weight loss. Community-based peer-led obesity interventions are challenging but promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
