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The Effect of Hope Training on the Physical Activity and Body Mass Index of Overweight and Obese Adolescents

Atefeh Soltanifar*, Azadeh Soltanifar, Azita Khalatash, Zeitab Moinfar

Introduction: The high prevalence and negative biopsychosocial consequences of excess weight in adolescence highlight the need for effective adolescent overweight and obesity interventions. This research was designed to investigate the effect of a hope-based intervention on physical activity and body mass index [BMI] in adolescents with obesity and overweight.

Methods: 90 children and adolescents aged 9-12 were selected through convenient sampling from students at girls’ elementary school based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Students were randomly divided to two groups. Monthly 2-hour sessions on healthy eating and physical activity were conducted for all students. 4 weekly hope training sessions were also held for the intervention group. Assessment of height and weight and completion of IPAQ were done for all the participants at the baseline, and 3 and 6 months later. Subjects in the intervention group also completed Children’s Hope Scale (CHS) at baseline, after hope training sessions, and 3 and 6 months after intervention.

Results: The findings showed a significant difference in total hope score in the intervention and control groups after hope training, and 3 and 6 months later (P=0.005, P=0.005, P=0.000, respectively). Physical activity also significantly increased in both groups after 3 and 6 months compared to baseline, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.005, P=0.005, P=0.625, respectively). BMI significantly decreased in both groups when adjusting for its baseline value, with a greater decrease in the first 3 months (F=4.15, P=0.035, ɳ2=0.151). The decrease in BMI during this period was significantly larger in the intervention group (F=4.15, P=0.000, ɳ2=0.151). Results also showed that changes in the hope score were significantly associated with changes in physical activity and BMI.

Conclusion: The findings revealed that the inclusion of hope training was effective in increasing hope and achieving better results in weight reduction interventions for obese and overweight adolescents.