Self-management program for obesity control among middle-aged women in Korea: A pilot study

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 12 week self-management intervention program, as compared to a structured exercise intervention, for obesity control among middle-aged women in Korea. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 27 women in a self-management group and 24 in a structured exercise group for 12 weeks. The self-management group received interventions that included walking at a convenient time and place, keeping healthy dietary habits, group workshops, phone counseling, and mobile phone short message services. The structured exercise group received a structured exercise intervention, which involved three 1 h walking classes per week at the health center. Both groups received baseline assessments before starting the interventions and at 12 weeks. The data were analyzed by using two sample t-tests, a paired t-test, and the chi 2-test. Results: After 12 weeks, there were significant changes in the health behavior, amount of body fat, and blood pressure of the participants in both intervention groups, but there was no significant difference in their body composition, blood profile, or blood pressure. Conclusion: Both the self-management and the structured exercise programs were effective in controlling obesity in middle-aged obese women in Korea. However, considering the chronic nature of obesity, the self-management program would be more beneficial, compared to the structured exercise program, as it allows people to exercise at a convenient time and place and to learn how to cope with their lifestyle barriers.