Effectiveness of a weight-loss intervention using self-monitoring practice with eating behavioral commandments in obese females, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: The treatment of obesity is challenging, and its management is often intensive and requires significant professional commitments. A core principle of behavioral interventions for obesity is self-monitoring, often with a focus on counting calories and monitoring body weight.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to to investigate the effectiveness of weight loss intervention and to assess its effects on wight and some metabolic parameters among obese female attending outpatient clinic at king Fahad Medical city, Riyadh, KSA.Materials and Methods: Morbidly obese females (n = 104) from an outpatient obesity clinic at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia took part in the intervention for 3 months and were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. Blood glucose homeostasis and lipid parameters were measured in addition to body characteristics, attitudes toward foods, and intervention commitment. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0.Results: A total of 97 morbidly obese females completed the study. Participants achieved moderate body weight (−7.8%) and fat loss (−5.5%); study commitment was strongly associated with body mass index change (rho = −0.703, P < 0.001). Glucose homeostasis improved significantly as follows: hemoglobin A1c level improved by −7.5%, fasting glucose by −7.3%, and Homeostasis Model Assessment insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance improved by about 16%. Blood lipids improved significantly as follows: triglycerides level improved by −14%, low-density lipoproteins by −8%, total cholesterol by −6%, and high-density lipoproteins by +5%. Blood health parameters were significantly associated with distinct commitment to behaviors suggesting improvements in diet.Conclusion: The intervention based on self-monitoring of eating behaviors was effective in achieving moderate weight loss, lead to improvements in blood health-risk markers related to metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and improved food attitudes.