changes in eating self-efficacy during weight loss intervention with or without nutrition education

Background: self-efficacy plays an important role in successful weight loss behaviors and weight loss. objectives: the aim of the study was to compare the effects of a balanced low-calorie diet with or without nutrition education on eating self-efficacy and weight loss among obese women. methods: in a randomized clinical trial, a sample of 90 apparently healthy obese women was recruited from the nutrition clinic and randomly assigned to receive a balanced low-calorie diet with or without nutrition education. the anthropometric measures and weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire were completed at baseline, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. results: the participants demonstrated a significant weight loss and improvement in total self-efficacy score in both the intervention groups (the time effect: f = 12.64, df = 2, p < 0.001, f = 22.57, df = 2, p < 0.001, respectively). nosignificant difference was observed in the social pressure subscale between the two groups after the intervention (the timeintervention effect: f = 2.80, p > 0.05). the results showed that nutrition education could be more effective in the increase of self-efficacy, especially in the first 3 months in comparison with the second 3 months (1.010.38 vs. 0.290.17, p = 0.005). conclusions: the findings support the use of nutrition education for improvement of self-efficacy subscales among obese women attending nutrition clinics for weight loss.