Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary intervention program on the factors: stage of behavior change (SBC), physical self-description (PSD), blood pressure (BP) and physical fitness in obese adolescents. The study was characterized as quasi-experimental type, with 33 adolescents who were evaluated before and after 16 weeks of intervention. The anthropometric and fitness variables, BP were assessed, and we also applied the Stage of Change instrument and PSDQ (Physical Self- Description Questionnaire), in order to measure the SBC and the PSD, respectively. The statistical analysis involved measures of central tendency and dispersion, and the comparison between the initial and final periods was performed by Student's t-test. The comparison between the periods before and after- intervention presented significant differences (p < 0.05) for almost all variables, except for the hip circumference, waist to hip ratio and pull-ups in the adapted bar. The program promoted effective changes in the fat consumption, and habitual physical activity and PSD of habitual physical activity, body fat and appearance. The results are quite promising and evidence the needto expand programs like this, in order to lead to the behavioral change. In this way, the physical education professional has a decisive role on this process.
Highlights
The obesity represents nowadays one of the main health problems in the world
The lower tax evasion and good adhesion presented in this study may be explained by the fact that physical activities are guided and monitored by professionals and academics which provide physical education experiences motivating and compatible with the conditions of adolescents
The 16-week program was effective improving significantly almost all anthropometric variables, and variables related to physical fitness, abdominal muscle strength and flexibility had highly positive responses to the program, as well as levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Summary
The obesity represents nowadays one of the main health problems in the world. That is because it is normally associated with several comorbidities and one increased mortality both in developed as in developing countries (MUST, 1996). It is estimated that more than 1 billion of adults all around the world are in overweight and at least 300 milion are already obese (OPAS, 2003; WHO 2002). This phenomenon is been observed among children and adolescents. Results like that shows to the authorities the great danger that obesity represents, once the literature states that since it is set in the young age, Maringá, v. 34, n. 2, p. 137-144, July-Dec., 2012 the obesity tends to persist to the adulthood (WHITAKER et al, 1997)
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