Effects of Health Promotion Program on Knowledge, Eating Behavior, Exercise Behavior and Body Weight of Overweight Students in Primary School

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to study the effects of health promotion by using a health belief model applied to a conceptual model. The experimental group consisted of 20 overweight students at levels 4 - 6 of Nawong Primary School, and the control group consisted of 20 overweight students of Sulakana Primary School, Lak-hok Sub-district, Muang District, Pathumthani Province. The experimental group received a health promotional program comprised of knowledge, demonstrations, role models and meetings within a 12 week period. The control group received the normal program provided by the school in the health education subject and health promoting hospital. Data was collected by pre and post obesity knowledge, eating behavior and exercise behavior questionnaires. The statistics used were descriptive and inferential. Wilcoxon matched-pairs and signed ranks tests were used to compare the groups. Man-Whitney U tests were used to compare another group. The significance level was .05

The results show that after implementation, the experimental group had a mean score of knowledge, eating and exercise behavior which was higher than the control group (p-value < .05). Moreover, the experimental group lost more weight than the control group (p-value < .05). However, the parents played an important role for the students. Thus, the researchers should be aware of these issues. This will help create a more effective health promotion program.