Effectiveness of Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy on Weight Management, Dietary Adherence, and Anger Control in Overweight Students
Keywords:
Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT), weight management, dietary adherence, anger control, overweightAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) on improving weight management, dietary adherence, and anger control among overweight secondary school students.
Methods and Materials: The research utilized a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest structure and a control group. The statistical population included all overweight female secondary school students in Mashhad during the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 30 students with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants each). The experimental group received ten 60-minute sessions of group-based cognitive–behavioral therapy based on Agha Harris’s (2022) model, focusing on cognitive restructuring, self-regulation, and behavioral modification strategies. Measurement tools included the Kagan and Squires (1984) Weight Management Questionnaire, the Morisky et al. (1986) Dietary Adherence Scale, and the Spielberger (2003) Anger Control Inventory. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA and ANCOVA) via SPSS version 26 after confirming all statistical assumptions.
Findings: The results revealed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in posttest scores of weight management (F = 57.418, p < .01, η² = .699), dietary adherence (F = 5.487, p < .01, η² = .723), and anger control (F = 234.282, p < .01, η² = .852). Participants who received CBT demonstrated improved weight regulation, higher dietary adherence, and enhanced anger control compared to those in the control group.
Conclusion: Cognitive–behavioral therapy effectively enhanced weight management, dietary adherence, and anger control among overweight students by modifying maladaptive cognitions and improving emotional and behavioral self-regulation. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating CBT-based interventions into adolescent weight management and emotional health programs.
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References
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