The Modification of food consumption behavior to control weight of overweight primary school students at Thakam MunicipalityPunphin district Suratthani province
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the use of the practice guidelines to change eating behavior for weight control in overweight primary school children in Thakam Municipality, Punphin District, Suratthani Province. The guidelines were developed as a result of a literature review and evidence-based knowledge based on IOWA model process. The behavior modification activities for weight control consisted of nutritional assessment, group activities, reflective thinking, providing knowledge about appropriate food choices, weight control practices for evaluating and tracking results. The tools of this study were records of the daily intake of food and records of body weight on a daily basis. The target group was 20 overweight primary school children who were studying in the second level. The total study period was 12 weeks from November 2009 to January 2010. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.
The results revealed that targeted children had an age range of 9-12 years old. 12 children of the group were female and 8 children were male. Before treatment under the guidelines, their body weight was at the range of 43-84 kilograms ( = 57.90, S.D. = 11.19). The body mass index was at the range of 23.47-32.41 kg. / m2 ( = 26.69, S.D. = 2.67). 17 children were at the percentile of over 95th and 3 children were at the percentile of 85th to 95th. After participating in the project, 3 children weighed less: 1 child lost 0.5 kilogram and 2 children lost 1 kilogram. The targeted group weighed between 43 to 83.5 kilograms ( =57.77, S.D.=11.10). All of them had decreased the body mass index at the range of 23.31-31.43 kg./m2 ( =26.17, S.D.=2.57). 16 children were at the percentile of over 95th and 4 children were at the percentile between 85th to 95th.
Recommendations for food consumption behavior modification to control body weight in primary school children focus on providing knowledge of appropriate food choices, dietary behavior, group activities focusing on childrens involvement, and regular monitoring which are significant factors for weight control.
WALAILAK UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR LIBRARY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA