A school-based randomized controlled field trial to improve Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) and Attitudes Towards Obese Persons (ATOP) among adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: A negative attitude towards obesity may lead to stigma and thus lower self-esteem in people with obesity of any society. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a school-based randomized controlled field trial on female adolescents' attitudes and beliefs towards people with obesity. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted among 124 middle school students (control group=62, intervention group=62). Using a cluster random sampling method, four schools were chosen and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The data collection tool was the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons (ATOP) and Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) scales, which were used after validity and reliability processes. The intervention program was developed and implemented following pretest, responses analysis, and educational needs assessment in two sessions (180 min). The follow-ups were performed immediately and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 using independent t-test, chi-square test, repeated measures ANOVA, and ANCOVA at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean BAOP scores of each group before, immediately and two months after the intervention were significantly different between (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean ATOP and BAOP scores of the two groups before, immediately, and two months after the intervention (p>0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that beliefs and attitudes regarding obesity as well as discriminatory perceptions towards people with obesity have high firmness and resistance and require innovative and appropriate interventions.

Design, implementation, and evaluation of a PRECEDE-PROCEED model-based intervention for oral and dental health among primary school students of Rafsanjan city: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: Oral and dental health has a significant impact on public health as well as the quality of life among individuals and families. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate an intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for oral and dental health among primary school students in Rafsanjan city, Southern Iran. METHODS: According to the nature of the model and with the focus group discussion and interview methods, in phases 1 to 4 (PRECEDE), predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors related to oral health were identified. The training program was designed and consisted of six sessions for students (250 students) with a brushing session, three sessions for parents, and two sessions for teachers. Process evaluation and the effect of the program on behavioral and factors affecting oral health were evaluated (PROCEED). RESULTS: In the qualitative section, seven predisposing factors, five enabling factors, and two reinforcing factors were identified. A training program based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model was found to be effective in increasing the mean scores of the above constructs and the students' brushing behavior (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the model planning phases, the factors affecting the brushing behavior of children aged 6-12 years were identified. The educational program has had a significant effect on improving the scores of predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors and children's brushing behavior.