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Adolescent Self-Efficacy for Diet and Exercise Following a School-Based Multicomponent Lifestyle Intervention
Vasiliki Efthymiou1, Evangelia Charmandari2,3, Dimitrios Vlachakis4
1University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Nutrients
|January 11, 2022
Summary
A school-based lifestyle intervention significantly improved diet and exercise self-efficacy in Greek adolescents. This program also led to reduced abdominal obesity and improved weight status, particularly in overweight/obese students.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Self-efficacy is crucial for behavioral change.
- Adolescent lifestyle interventions require effective strategies to enhance self-efficacy.
- Understanding the link between self-efficacy, anthropometrics, and sociodemographics is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a school-based lifestyle intervention on diet and exercise self-efficacy in Greek adolescents.
- To investigate the relationship between self-efficacy, anthropometric measurements, and sociodemographic factors.
- To evaluate changes in metabolic syndrome indicators and weight status post-intervention.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of 1020 Greek adolescents (aged 12-17) participated in a 6-month, multilevel, multicomponent school-based lifestyle intervention.
- Intervention included health promotion education and telemedicine screening for metabolic syndrome characteristics.
- Assessments included anthropometric measurements (BMI, WC, WHtR, WHR), Self-efficacy for Diet, Self-efficacy for Exercise, and the KIDMED index.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in both dietary (p < 0.001) and exercise (p < 0.001) self-efficacy were observed post-intervention.
- Adolescents showed significant reductions in abdominal obesity indices (WC, WHtR, WHR), with greater improvements in overweight/obese participants.
- The proportion of normal-weight adolescents increased, while overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity decreased. Female adolescents showed greater improvements in diet self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Multicomponent school-based lifestyle interventions can effectively enhance self-efficacy for diet and exercise in adolescents.
- These interventions contribute to improved anthropometric measures and reduced obesity, laying groundwork for future youth prevention programs.
- Higher adherence to healthy dietary patterns (KIDMED) correlates with higher self-efficacy, highlighting the interconnectedness of behavior and confidence.
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