Program to Reduce Overweight and Obesity among School Age Females

Abstract

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. The aim of this study was reduce weight among overweight and obese female students. Experimental design was conducted at this study at the First Secondary School of Girls at Mohyeil Asser. All girl students of  the First Secondary School at Mohyeil Asser (361students) were included at the first stage of this study to detect the obesity and overweight prevalence, then 62 students who matched the selective criteria were taken. The  tools of the study contained an Interview questionnaire sheet included three parts: Part 1 about socio-demographic data of the students, Part 2 included dietary knowledge and habits questions, and Part 3 included obesity and weight-loss quality of life and weight related symptoms measures, Diet and exercise plans, and Health education booklet constructed by the researcher. Results revealed that; more than one quarter (28.5%) of the female students were underweight ( BMI less than 25) while overweight students were (13.6%), mild obese students were (9.4% ), and morbid obese students were (1.7% ). No one of the students had normal BMI before the program and overweight and obese students were (48.4% & 51.6% respectively) but after the program students who had normal BMI became (22.5%) while overweight and obese became (47.5% & 30.0% respectively).The current study recommend that regular physical activity and exercise have to be a part from students' school day and to be generalized at all schools and colleges to reduce the obesity prevalence.

Key wards: overweight; obesity; Body Mass Index; Health education; physical activity.