Comparison of the Effectiveness of the Transtheoretical Model and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Adolescents' Eating Behavior and Weight Loss

Background: nutrition education is a key component of health promotion programs, leading to marked improvements in the nutritional behaviors of adolescents. therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy on eating behavior and weight loss in adolescents. objectives: the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the transtheoretical model and cognitive-behavioral therapy in eating behavior and weight loss in adolescents. method: the present semi-experimental study was conducted based on a pretest-posttest control group follow-up design. the statistical population consisted of all adolescents referring to counseling centers in mashhad in autumn 2019. out of this population, 45 cases were selected via convenience sampling method and assigned to three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). the research questionnaires were cappelleri et al.'s (2009) eating behavior questionnaire. data were analyzed in spss software (version 25) using the analysis of covariance test. results: based on the results, the transtheoretical model and cognitive-behavioral therapy differently affected eating behavior so that cognitive-behavioral therapy was more effective than the transtheoretical model (p<0.001). conclusions: as evidenced by the obtained results, cognitive-behavioral therapy was more effective in adolescents' eating behavior and weight loss, in comparison with the model of the change process. it is suggested that cognitive-behavioral therapy be considered in the treatment of appropriate principles of nutrition and control of adolescents' weight.