(Application of Health Belief Model among Youth at High Risk for Obesity in West Bank (Palestine

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese Aim : Evaluate the effect of application of health belief model among youth at high risk for obesity in West Bank (Palestine). Research design: A quasi experimental design. Settings: The study was conducted at Faculty of Nursing /An-Najah National University and IBN Sina College for Health Sciences,West Bank- Palestine. Subjects: A purposive sample composed of 117 students, from both previous setting at high risk for obesity was included. Tools of data collection: First tool: A Self-administered questionnaire, it was composed of 4 parts, part one: socio-demographic data, part two: Assess university student's knowledge regarding obesity, nutritional habits, and its consequence. Part three: Assess university student's practices regarding healthy food and regular exercises. Part four: Assess the effects of obesity on university student's life style. Second tool: The HBM sub constructs which used in this study. Third tool: Anthropometric measurement to detect body mass index. Results: Revealed that less than half of youth were obesity class1, and more than one third were obesity class II. there was a highly significant difference between student 's knowledge&their practices regarding obesity ,healthy food,and exercises pre &post educational program Conclusion: Application of health belief model was effective in improving knowledge and practices of student at high risk for obesity and changing health behavior. Recommendations: Conducting routine screening for obesity, dieting and other weight reduction practices as an integral part of the ongoing health care provided by all health services .HBM also suggests that the benefits and barriers of changing health behavior must be taken into consideration, as those who perceive more benefits than barriers are more likely to take action. In addition, self-efficacy, or the belief in one’s ability to achieve a desired result, has recently been added to the HBM, as a significant amount of literature posits that individuals with higher self-efficacy are more likely to incorporate health behavior changes.