Abstract (eng)
Health promotion is in Austria, as well as in many other EU-Countries, still a very neglected issue. Prevention of illness and health promotion, aside from the treatment of diseases, and rehabilitation and care, are forming an independent element of health care. Caring personnel is rendering a major contribution in their patient’s health support, by informing, teaching and counselling the clients, furthermore helping them to recover to a physical and mental balance.
The findings of this study should reveal new cognitions on this subject of health promotion, particularly in prevention of adiposity, and discuss new potential ways of medical attendance.
Goal of this analysis was to show the influence of self-efficacy and motivation at the success of a heath promotion-program. 257 participants (221 women and 36 men) took part at this weight loss-program called „Schlank ohne Diät“ (SOD) which means „slim without diet“. The method of SOD is based on a modification of behaviour, as well as a change in eating habits and exercise.
For the data analysis we used the statistic program SPSS 10.0. Female participants started the SOD program with an average weight of 85,3 kg, male candidates with a weight of 106.2 kg. At the end of this program the average weight of the women was reduced to 81,5 kg and the men’s weight to only 99,5 kg. Women lost an average of 3,8 kg, whereas men even lost averagely 6,7 kg. A comparable change in their BMI was also effected.
To determine the change of behaviour, we distributed a survey about the participant’s well being, at the beginning and the end of our intervention.
The outcome displayed significant changes in eating and exercise behaviour between the beginning and the end of this program. The degree of motivation and self-efficacy of SOD-participants was determined by motivational tests, which were taken from the book „So schaffen Sie es“. Another test about the general expectation of self-efficacy according to Schwarzer was also used. The believed thesis that the higher motivation and self-efficacy is, the higher the weight loss and compliance, could not be confirmed. There were no significant coherences between the results of the motivation and self-efficacy test and the changes in behaviour, weight loss and compliance of commendation of therapy. Motivation and self-efficacy of the SOD-participants was very high from the beginning of our intervention.
At the beginning of the course, participants were questioned about their motivation in losing weight. "Health", "physical comfort", "looks" and „clothes" were given as a multiple choice to select from. Physical comfort is the main reason for both male and female participants to lose weight, followed by health. The main difference between the two genders was found in the motivational aspects "looks" and "clothes" which were much more important for female than male participants.
The younger participants were, the more reasons to lose weight were adduced. They often choose „looks“, „clothes“ and „wellbeing“ as their motives. It showed a significantly higher weight loss among people, who listed „looks“ as a motive. If we look at the attendance of the group sessions, it came to show that participants who listed „health“ and „looks“ as their motives attended more sessions, than those with other motives.
By means of linear regression referring to „looks“ we found a significant change in eating behaviour, more precisely the eating behaviour in particular moods and situations. Concerning the other motives there were no such characteristic found.
Physical appearance is the number one motivator for change to a healthier lifestyle and eating habits. Food, for the participants, became less of a factor to cheer them up and the participants where also able to control their caloric intake at social events. In conclusion, physical appearance is the primary drive for completing a weight loss program.