Effect of weight control counselling in overweight and obese young adults

Abstract

This study was carried out to compare groups with individual counselling to examine essential outcomes in young adults in a community pharmacy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 2011 to February 2012. A total of 112 overweight and obese participants were randomly assigned to receive group counselling (n=52) or individual counselling (n=56). Clinical outcomes included weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Eating behaviours were evaluated by a theory of planned behaviour questionnaire. Both groups showed significant clinical outcomes. The theory of planned behaviour average sum score significantly increased from baseline in the health dieting behaviour and subjective norm in group counselling. In the individual group (P<0.05), the score increased significantly from baseline only for health dieting behaviour (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis, factors associated with eating behaviours were: group counselling (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.71-9.51), female (healthy dieting behaviour: OR=0.37, 95% CI: normative beliefs: 0.15-0.93) and person who attempted to control weight (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.91). Group counselling was not inferior to individual counselling and the group counselling should be used as first line mode for weight control management in young adults.