The Development of an Over-weight Control Program for Lower-Secondary Level Students in Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

        The objective of this quasi-experimental research was to assess the effectiveness of weight control program with social support called PCPA-SSplus for lower-secondary level students. The study groups were healthy over-weight volunteer students from 4 schools in Muang District and some surrounding districts in Phetchaburi . The experimental group consisted of 79 students and the control group consisted of 72 students. This study was conducted from June to November, 2009. The research instruments were questionnaires used for collecting students’ personal data, food consumption behaviors, daily utilized energy behaviors, weight record form and a weight control program with social support. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi- square test, Paired t-test, and Independent t-test. The results showed that over-weight students were positively correlated with the behavior of eating incorrectly especially making poor food choices, and less utilized of energy behavior in daily activities and exercise. After the students in the experimental group participated in the weight control program with positive social support, it was found that they were significantly able to make better food consumption choices and better in their daily utilized energy (p<0.001). Such changes were not found in the control group. As a result, over-weight students in the experimental group lost a significant amount of weight (p<0.001), whereas those in the control group did not lose any weight and some even increased their weight. In addition, after the experiment the participants were very satisfied with the PCPA-SSplus program. This study suggests that schools should implement the PCPA-SSplus program for over-weight students and designate teachers to be  responsible for the program.