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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Eric A. Schmidt, PhD, LPC, LCDC¹, Lisa K. Lloyd, PhD², Sylvia H. Crixell, PhD, RD³, and John L. Walker, EdD². (1) Department of Educational Adminstration and Psychological Services, Texas State University - San Marcos, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, 512-245-3979, es17@txstate.edu, (2) Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Texas State University-San Marcos, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, (3) Nutrition and Foods, Texas State University-San Marcos, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666

Previous research indicates that supportive counseling enhances efforts to promote weight loss in Mexican American women. However, the most effective counseling modality (i.e., individual versus group) has yet to be identified. This study compared the efficacy of group and individual supportive counseling in promoting weight loss in Mexican American women enrolled in a structured, culturally sensitive nutrition education and exercise program. Twenty two volunteers, ages 20-49, were randomly assigned to either a Supportive Group Counseling (SGC) group or to a Supportive Individual Counseling (SIC) group. Each week for eight weeks, participants were encouraged to attend five 60-min exercise sessions and one 30-min nutrition class providing lessons, snacks and recipes. In addition, each week, members of the SGC group attended one 60-min supportive group counseling session, whereas each member of the SIC group attended one individual supportive counseling session. Pre- and post-testing included measurements of health-related physical fitness. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no change in resting heart rate or waist-to-hip ratio. A significant decrease in body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences (p<.05) and a significant increase in aerobic fitness, hand grip strength, push-ups, and sit-and-reach flexibility (p<.05) was observed for SGC and SIC combined. Post-hoc analysis revealed no differences in the magnitude of improvement between groups for these variables, with both individual and group supportive counseling being equally effective. Consequently, for purposes of efficient resource allocation, supportive group counseling may be a preferred modality when striving to promote weight loss with this population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify at least 5 key factors/potential barriers to consider when developing a weight loss program for Mexican American lower socioeconomic women.
• Understand how to effectively implement supportive counseling, in conjunction with exercise and nutrition education, as a primary component of a weight loss program for lower socioeconomic Mexican American women.

Keywords: Obesity, Hispanic

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered