RESUMO
Background: Most obese people do not have high self-esteem. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of self-esteem education on the weight status of obese women. Methods: This Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) was performed on 46 obese women (BMI >30) in Hamadan during 2021-2022. By simple convenient sampling and block randomization, the samples were divided into two equal groups. In both groups, routine lifestyle and diet recommendations were prescribed. In the intervention group, eight sessions of self-esteem training were performed specifically. In two groups BMI was measured and the Cooper-Smith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) was filled out before and after the intervention. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants in the intervention and control groups was 27.95 (5.02) and 30.25 (5.46) years respectively (t38 = 1.39, p = 0.17). BMI was comparable in two groups before the study (32.47 vs. 33.13 in the intervention and control group respectively, (t38 = 1.02, p = 0.31), but decreased significantly in the intervention group at the end (30.38 vs. 32.90, t38 = 3.76, p = 0.001). The mean self-esteem scores of the two groups were similar at the beginning (27.10 vs. 27.60 in the intervention and control group respectively, (t38 = 0.52, p = 0.60) but increased significantly in the intervention group at the end (30.10 vs. 27.35, t38 = 2.99, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings suggest that self-esteem educational programs can increase the self-esteem score and decrease BMI in obese women and should be considered as a treatment modality in these women.
RESUMO
In this research, the extract of Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A.Mey. was encapsulated using the mini-emulsion polymerization method based on methyl methacrylate polymers with a nanometer size. The encapsulated extract was characterized using different analytical techniques. Furthermore, the loading efficiency and release of the plant extract were examined. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of an expectational product. The TEM and SEM imaging showed a spherical morphology for the prepared encapsulated extract. The average size of poly-methyl-methacrylate nanoparticles containing Ephedra extract was found to be approximately 47â nm. The extract loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency test demonstrated a dose-depending behavior on E. intermedia extract for both analyses, which is highly advantageous for traversing biological barriers. The release assay shows a controlled release for the extract at phosphate buffer solution (PBS). A 38 % release was calculated after 36â hours. The results obtained from the present study reveal that encapsulating the plant extract is a suitable alternative to control and increase their medicinal properties.