Narrative-focused Group Counseling Improves Intervention Outcomes in Women With Obesity

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of narrative group counseling combined with diet modification and exercise plans on weight loss in Iranian women with obesity. DesignParallel 2-arm clinical trial. ParticipantsFifty-six Iranian women with obesity (aged 18–50 years). InterventionThe intervention group included weekly diet, exercise, and narrative-focused group counseling, whereas the comparison group included dietary modification and exercise sessions for 8 months (32 sessions). Main Outcome MeasureAnthropometric and body composition parameters, blood biochemical parameters (high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, ghrelin, obestatin), physical activities, and appetite scores. AnalysisMcNemar test was used for the variables that were not normally distributed and for scaling. Furthermore, t tests were used to compare quantitative variables with normal distributions. The original P (0.05) was adjusted to P = 0.0031 using the Bonferroni correction. ResultsWeight, body mass index, body fat proportion, and hip circumference decreased significantly in the intervention vs comparison group. Serum low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, appetite score, and ghrelin decreased, whereas obestatin increased significantly in the intervention vs comparison group. Conclusions and ImplicationsNarrative-focused group counseling combined with traditional strategies was effective in achieving significant changes in weight, body mass index, and appetite. Future studies with a more diverse audience and a longer follow-up are warranted.