Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Eating Habit among Overweight and Obese Female Students in Preparatory Schools in Sulaimani City /Kurdistan Region - Iraq.

Abstract

Overweight and obesity has become a global problem. This is typically a complex problem pandemic in many countries. The aim of this study is to find the effectiveness of education program concerning pattern of diet among female adolescent in preparatory schools in Sulaimani city. Data was collected between October 2020-January 2021 by which 360 students among 5 preparatory schools checked their BMI and Hip Waist Circumference. 90 students found to be overweight and obese. Researcher divided these students into 45 students as interventional and 45 control group, pre- posttest applied for both group.12weeks of  healthy food nutritional educational provided to case group and then same as pre-test , post-test re applied for both group to identify the effect of educational program on student’s dietary habit.  After the intervention the median BMI decreased from 27.06 Kg/m² before the intervention to 24.38 Kg/m² after the intervention(p < 0.001). The median waist circumference significantly decreased from 86 cm to 83 cm (p < 0.001). The median waist/hip ration also decreased from 0.8 to 0.78 (p < 0.001). The median dietary habit score increased significantly from 19 before the intervention to 60 after the intervention (p < 0.001).