A Behavior Modification Approach to Losing Weight : Office Workers Reduce through Nutritional Counseling Sessions

Chang, Moon Kyoung; Park, Sun Min

Abstract

Behavior-modification approaches are among the most widely used methods for losing weight. The most important concern in these approaches is that the client is helped to achieve long-term weight loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nutritional counseling for weight reduction in office workers. Sixteen overweight office workers (BMI=25.8+/-.5 age=34.1+/-.0) were selected from Poscohuls. Prior to nutritional counseling, their dietary intakes were assessed using the 24-hour recall method, and survey questionnaires for lifestyle and dietary habits were collected. Nutrient intakes were calculated using the Food Processor II program modified for Korean foods. Nutritional counseling sessions were conducted every 2-3 weeks for 5 months. Various techniques tailored to the individual participants were used to facilitate weight loss. After 5 to 6 counseling sessions, questionnaires for lifestyle and dietary habits were re-evaluated. Daily energy intake showed great individual differences. The energy intake of every client decreased by about 15% (p=0.08). Fat consumption was lowered by 39.3%, but consumption of carbohydrate and protein was not changed. The common dietary and lifestyles problems were overeating, binges, dinning out, snacking, and drinking alcohol. Before counseling began, clients ate out an average of 2.8 times per week, and they ate high-fat foods such as belly pork. After counseling, they consumed low-fat dishes such as fish and lean meat in fewer dinning-out sessions. Also, the number of binges decreased slightly, and clients consumed smaller meals. Similar changes occurred with respect to the consumption of alcohol. During the counseling sessions, 25 percent of clients lost weight by approximately 2kg, while 75 percent maintained their weight. In conclusion, multiple nutritional counseling sessions are an effective and efficient approach to change eating pattern to keep losing weight. Furthermore, through multiple nutritional counseling sessions, clients can gain good dietary habits and learn to control their weight through behavior modification. However, clients need to have patience and trust to lose weight since it takes longer periods to show losing weight multiple nutritional counseling sessions.