Theory Based Health Education: Application of Health Belief Model for Iranian Obese and Overweight Students about Physical Activity” in Urmia, Iran

Obesity is a major problem in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The
aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a physical education program (PEP) on promoting
health belief model (HBM) scores, increasing physical activity (PA), and reducing obesity among
Iranian high school students.
Methods: This quasi‑experimental study was accomplished at four high schools that were
randomly divided into two groups of experiment (forty) and control (forty) male students in junior
high schools in Urmia, Iran. Students in the experimental group received a PEP during 6 months.
The essential parameters were used for evaluating the effects of educational program on HBM,
PA, and body mass index (BMI) of students.
Results: After the intervention of 3 and 6 months, the experimental group showed a signifcant
difference on the results of HBM constructs. According to the result of repeated‑measures
ANOVA, there is a signifcant difference between the experimental and control groups about
the components of PA constructs. Analysis of covariance showed that although BMI reduced in
6 months after intervention, there was no signifcant difference in BMI.
Conclusions: Results of the study revealed that implementation of PEP was effective on
increasing the score of the components of HBM and PA of students