Abstract

Background: With the increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the world and with obesity being one of the most common risk factors of all the NCDs, our study was undertaken to curtail this risk factor by a simple, repeated intervention through health education.
Objective: (1) To achieve control/reduction in the weight among adult women by monthly educational intervention and (2) to determine the role of each monthly intervention on weight control/reduction among the same group. Material and Methods: The study was carried out in an urban slum area of Mysore city with subjects being women of self-help group. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Intervention on weight reduction was given in the form of repeated health education with multi-dimensional approach towards weight reduction for a period of 4 months and every month progress was assessed by measuring weight and calculating BMI.
Results: In total, 19 participants (51.3%) achieved weight reduction, 11 (29.7%) maintained their weight, and 7 participants (18.9%) gained weight. Intervention in the form of health education related to nutrition was found to have a significant impact on weight reduction (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Community-based, near to house, and culturally acceptable health education has impact in controlling as well as reducing weight.