Effectiveness of Teaching and Text Message Based Intervention on Dietary Habits among Overweight Adolescents in Selected Schools of Ambala, Haryana

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as
well as reduced life expectancy.
Objectives: The objectives of the study was to assess and compare the dietary habits among overweight
adolescents before and after teaching and text message based intervention in experimental and comparison
group, to determine the association of dietary habits among overweight adolescents with their selected
variables in experimental and comparison group.
Methodology: A quasi experimental non equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the
study. Fifty nine (59) overweight adolescents were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The
data was collected by rating scale to assess the dietary habits for overweight.
Results and Conclusion: The findings revealed that mean post test score of dietary habits (29.5 ± 2.55) was
significantly higher in experimental group than mean post test score of dietary habits. There was a significant
association found between post test of dietary habits of experimental group with BMI (p=0.02) and with
age (p=0.05) in comparison group. It was concluded from the study that teaching and text message based
intervention was effective in improving the dietary habits among overweight adolescents.