Feasibility Of Using The ‘Spacing Effect’ As Part Of An Interventional Strategy To Curb Overweight And Obesity Among Young Adults In Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia
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Date
2018-05
Authors
Thamby, Sam Aaseer
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are defined as ‘conditions characterized by excess body
fat with negative health consequences’. The numbers of overweight and obese
individuals are on the rise in Malaysia, despite numerous attempts by means of public
health campaigns. This epidemic has affected a very high number of young adults, aged
between 18 to 30 years old. Interventions aimed at educating the public about the
negative health impact of being overweight and/or obese were not entirely successful in
combating this issue. This exploratory, prospective, and descriptive study was conducted
among a representative sample of overweight and obese individuals in Sungai Petani.
The main objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of utilizing a new
technique called ‘spacing effect or spaced repetition’ technique as part of the
interventional strategy in curbing the issue of overweight and obesity. The study
consisted of three phases with an intervening gap of six months between each phase. The
study instruments used were a pre-validated, customized questionnaire to assess the
respondents’ scores in three domains (knowledge, dietary habits, and physical activities);
and an educational pamphlet to provide information regarding the three domains in order
to improve the respondents’ knowledge. A change in the scores pertaining to each
domain would be reflected by the decrease in weight and BMI of the representative
sample. During the initial phase, 115 representative males and 450 representative
females participated in this study.
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Keywords
Interventional strategy to curb overweight , obesity among young adults in Sungai Petani