Qualitative Study of Strategies for Coping with Temptation during Weight Loss

The strategies were qualitatively examined for coping with temptation during a weight-loss program.　Selfresponse questionnaires were distributed to 65 adults (22 males and 43 females) in October 2007, 6 months after they had articipated in a weight-management program in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.　Each subject answered open-ended questions about the strategy for coping with temptation regarding weight control, and the answers were categorized by two researchers.　The respondents provided 461 items which were assigned to 61 sub-categories in five categories. These categories were counter-conditioning (188 items), eating style (98 items), stimulus control (78 items), cognitive coping (70 items), and social support (27 items).　Most coping strategies were similar to the process of change that constitutes the transtheoretical model (TTM).　The results of this study suggest that cognitive coping strategies, which are presumed in TTM to be common during the early stage of behavior change, can also be employed during the action and maintenance stages, and that eating style, which is not included in the process of change, may be an important coping strategy for changing eating behavior

Development of Coping-strategy Scales for Temptations Experienced During Weight Control

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to develop scales to measure the strategies used ofr coping with the temptations experienced during weight control. Methods: The subjects for this study consisted of 994 consenting adults who anonymously responded to a selfadministered questionnaire.　The questions focused on the frequency with which the subjects used various strategies to cope with the temptations experienced during weight control, their stage of change, their knowledge about weight control, their self-efficacy, their perceptions of their current weight, and their demographic characteristics.　Data were analyzed in terms of the item selection, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and assessment of the reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and validity of the scales. Results: There were 752 respondents for subsequent analyses (518 males, 210 females, nad 42 missing data). Five scales comprising 44 items concerning coping strategies were extracted from the data: counter- conditioning (11 items), eating style (12 items), stimulus ocntrol (5 teims), social support (4 items), and cognitive coping (12 items). The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of these scales were 0.68~0.87.　More advanced stages of change and greater knowledge weight control were associated with significantly higher scores for the scales measuring coping strategies. Conclusions: The validity and reliability of these five new scales were confirmed for subjects who were in weight control.　Since this study used cross-sectional survey methodology, a longitudinal study will be necessary to examine the relationship between coping strategies and self-efficacy for dealing with temptation during about weight control

A Case Study of a Worksite Weight-control Program Based on Formative Researc

Objective: To implement a worksite weight-control program based on formative research and examine the evaluation process of the program and subsequent changes in participants’ behavior and body mass index (BMI). Methods: The study was conducted among the staff (n = 317) of a courier company in Tokyo.　Environmental research and interviews (n = 18) were initially conducted to provide empirical underpinnings for the program itself (Study 1).　The program, based on the results of the formative research, was implemented for about 6 months.　BMI, perceived self-efficacy in dealing with temptation, use of coping strategies, and knowledge about weight control were measured before and after the program for the purpose of comparison (Study 2). Results: Because the formative research indicated that participants would find it difficult to allocate time for the program, the program was provided in the form of personal feedback on the nutrition survey and information presented on posters located in break rooms.　A total of 36.3% of the respondents (n = 115) answered the questionnaires both before and after the program, and 21.5% (n = 68) noted that they had used both the feedback from the nutrition survey and the informational posters.　Among the latter, knowledge about weight control increased (p = 0.021), the number of participants using coping strategies for weight control increased slightly (p = 0.064), and the number of snacks consumed per day decreased (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We could not determine the effects of the program because we did not use a control group and because we analyzed only data obtained from subjects who answered the questionnaires both before and after the program.　This paper introduces an advanced approach to a worksite weight-control program that is based on the subjects’ requirements

Development of an Educational Material Called “Best Adviser for Diet” for Weight Control and its Evaluations by Healthcare Professionals

【目的】成人を対象とした体重管理の誘惑場面における対策について，ゲームを通して学習できるカード教材「ベストアドバイザーFORダイエット」を開発した。本稿では，カード教材の解説を行うとともに，保健医療従事者によるカード教材の評価を報告する。 【方法】２０１１年７月～１０月に開催された市町村の保健医療従事者向けの研修会に参加した６６名を対象にカード教材のゲーム式の使い方を実施した。ゲーム終了後に，質問紙を用いてゲームの感想や遊び方，体重管理の教材としての評価，属性をたずねた。また，質問紙 の最後に意見や感想を自由記述で記載する欄を設けた。 【結果】解析対象者は６２名（女性：５７名，９１．９％）だった。「ゲームは楽しかったですか」，「体重管理の教材として役立つと思いますか」という問いに対してそれぞれ５７名（９１．９％），４９名（７９．０％）が「とてもそう思う／そう思う」と回答した。自由記述では，指導者向けの 教材として利用したいという意見があがった。一方で，教材や遊び方について，ルールや内容が難しいなどの改善すべき点もあがった。 【結論】体重管理の誘惑場面における対策に関する学習教材として，肯定的な意見が得られた。あげられた改善点をもとに，教材の見直しを行い，今後は一般成人を対象に実行可能性および教育効果について，検討をする必要がある。Objective:　We developed the cards as educational materials called “Best Adviser for Diet” designed to teach coping strategies in resisting situational temptations in weight control.　In this paper, we introduce this educational material and report its evaluations by healthcare professionals. Methods:　A game was played using the cards by 66 participants in workshops for healthcare professionals in the period July-October 2011.　After the game, a self-administered questionnaire that requested for feedback, evaluations about how the game is played, the effectiveness of the cards for weight control, demographics and any additional comments and opinions was distributed to participants.　 Results:　Data from 62 subjects (57 women, 91.9%) were analyzed.　Fifty-seven participants (91.9%) gave responses of “completely agree/agree” to the question “Did you have fun during the card game?” and 49 participants (79.0%) answered “completely agree/agree” to the question “Do you think that these cards are useful for weight control?” The respondents also added that they would like to use the cards as educational materials for healthcare professionals.　They also offered some suggestions for improving the contents of the cards and the way the game is played. Conclusion:　Respondents had positive opinions about the cards as educational materials for imparting coping strategies in resisting temptations and promoting weight control.　The cards will be revised on the basis of the results of this study, and further research to test the feasibility and educational effects of the cards for the public is needed