The effect of problem solving education on food behavior self-efficacy in overweightor obese women

Background: Nutrition education and behavioral techniques, self-monitoring and problem solving have been identified as preferred treatment for weight loss. This study aim is determine the effect of problem solving training on food behavior self-efficacy, in overweight or obese women in the city of Urmia in 2012. Methods: This study is the semi-experimental with pre-test and post- test design that was carried out on 90 women with overweight or obese covered by two health centers in the city of Urmia in 1391. Samples have been selected with disposability method and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Educational intervention in the experimental group was done via the problem solving meetings in the form of six training sessions in the 15-persons group of women. The post- test was conducted after 2 months with replenishment demographic information and food behaviors self- efficacy questionnaire. Data analysis was done with descriptive and analytical test (Paired t- test, Independent t- test and Chi square). Results: Self-efficacy score mean improved from 11/52±4/03 to 15/90±3/85 in the test group that this change was statistically significant. There was an increase in the good food behavior self-efficacy in the intervention group from %14/3 to %54/8, (p<0/001), but the change wasn’t significant in the control group. Conclusions: The results illustrated that the problem solving approach can promote self-efficacy eating behaviors on overweight or obese women via involving women in the process of thinking and problem solving through the freely expressed comments and exchange ideas and experiences.