Right diet: A television series to combat obesity among adolescents in kuwait

Abstract

Background: Adolescent obesity is a growing public health problem in Kuwait. Reducing obesity can lower the risk of several chronic diseases. Fourteen obese adolescent boys volunteered to participate in a 6-month multidimensional television series on weight loss. Methods: The adolescent boys were recruited through advertisements in schools. The program included counseling sessions, nutritional education, exercise, family support, peer group involvement, and incentives designed to motivate participants. Results: The mean age of the boys was 15.6±0.8 years. On average, subjects lost 10.6±8.9kg in weight and gained 3.3±1.6cm in height during the study period. The difference in mean body mass index at baseline and at 6months following intervention was significant (P,0.001) at 36.8±4.6 and 32.0±5.4, kg/m2 respectively. Participants ranked counseling as the most important component of the program, followed by family support and type of program. Conclusion: This type of television series could be used as a model for future public health programs to prevent and control obesity among adolescents. © 2012 Al-Haifi et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.