Effect of education and counseling on anthropometric measures and healthy Lifestyle behavior among overweight and obese women

Background: It is extremely important to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors, particularly in overweight and obese women. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of education and counseling on healthy lifestyle behaviors among overweight and obese women who attend a sports center. Methods: This pretest-posttest interventional study included a total of 60 women aged 18-49 years [intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30)]. The data were collected using an introductory information form, the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Scale II, and an anthropometric measurements follow-up form. The participants in the intervention group were provided with education and counseling. The control group was administered the standard procedure at the sports center. Results: In the pretest comparison of the intervention and control groups, values of health responsibility, interpersonal relations, and spiritual development were greater in the control group than in the intervention group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the posttest comparison, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of waist/hip ratio, BMI, interpersonal relations, and spiritual development (p > 0.05). It was found in multiple regression analysis: the BMI posttest (beta= -0.250, p = 0.028) predict negatively 25% of the HLBS II posttest total score and being in the intervention group (beta = 0.486, p < 0.001) predict positively 49% of (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Training and counseling based on the health promotion model are effective in developing healthy lifestyle behaviors. Women aged 18-49 years should be more frequently monitored in terms of obesity.