Effects of a Cognitive-Behavioral Group Counseling Program on Weight Bias Internalization and Psychological Outcomes Among Obese Youth in Mahasarakham University, Thailand

Overview

Journal J Res Health Sci

Specialty Public Health

Date 2024 Sep 23

PMID 39311103

Authors

Suneerat Yangyuen

Thidarat Somdee

Meihua Yin

Atchara Chaichan

Supattra Keawmuang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Weight bias internalization (WBI) is a serious challenge because of its negative impact on psychological consequences. Although the cognitive-behavioral intervention has been applied to reduce WBI, little is known about its effectiveness among Thai obese youth. Thus, this study sought to determine the effects of a cognitive-behavioral group counseling (CBGC) program on WBI and psychological outcomes in obese youths. A randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Eighty obese youths were randomly allocated to two intervention (n=40) and control (n=40) groups. The intervention group received a CBGC program in three sessions with ten activities, while the control group performed their usual counseling process. Data were collected through standardized interviewers with a structured interview questionnaire. The chi-square test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measure ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression were applied for data analyses.

Results: At the follow-up visit, the intervention group had a significant decrease in the mean of WBI, depression, and perceived stress and an increased mean of self-esteem compared to the control group. After adjusting baseline characteristics and baseline outcome values, the intervention also significantly improved WBI (B=-6.82, <0.001), depression (B=-4.17, <0.001), perceived stress (B=-6.01, <0.001), and self-esteem (B=5.07, <0.001).

Conclusion: The CBGC program effectively reduced WBI, depression, and perceived stress while improving self-esteem among obese youths. This study recommends that group counseling programs be employed as part of a counseling process for obese youth who have experienced WBI.

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