The Effects of a Self-regulation Program for Weight Reduction of Obese Hypertensive Outpatients in Ranong Province

Abstract

Obesity among hypertensive patients increases the risk of potentially life-threatening illnesses.
This quasi-experimental research with a two-group pretest-posttest design aimed to apply selfregulation theory to study the effects of a self-regulation program for weight reduction in two
participant groups: 29 patients in the experimental group and 28 patients in the comparison group.
The research included: 1) a program on weight reduction in obese hypertensive patients
with three activities over six weeks in a 10 week program and; 2) interview questionnaires consisting
of demographic data, food consumption behavior, and an exercise behavior questionnaire.
Questionnaire content validity and reliability were tested. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact
test, independent sample t-test and repeated-measurement ANOVA with statistical significance at p<.05.
The findings showed that the experimental group had higher mean food consumption and
exercise behavior scores at post-test and follow-up than at pre-test and for the comparison group
at statistical significance (p<.05). Further, subjects in the experimental group had lower mean waist
circumference at post-test and follow-up than at pre-test and then the comparison group at follow-up
with statistical significance (p<.05). The experimental group also had lower body mass index at posttest and follow-up than at pre-test and then the comparison group. Regarding waist circumference,
5 out of 20 female participants changed from the obesity to the overweight group, while all three
male obese participants changed to the overweight group. According to the body mass index, 22 of 29
obese participants changed to the overweight group. Thus, this program shows promise to be used by
nurses or healthcare providers in communities for weight reduction among obese hypertensive patients.