Effectiveness of a Spiritual Intervention on Weight Loss, Quality of Life, and Health Behaviors in Overweight Iranian Women.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a spiritual intervention on weight loss, quality of life, and health behaviors in overweight Iranian women.

METHODS

The intervention in 10 participants consisted of six 45-60 minute sessions held weekly. A third assessment was conducted two months after the last session. Measures included an assessment of demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), a Religious Health Promoting Behaviors Inventory (RHPBI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). The sessions focused on healthy eating tips and exposure to the principle of "godliness versus selfishness."

RESULTS

Results indicated that those in the intervention group experienced significant weight loss and significant improvement in quality of life and health behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

In societies with a spiritual and religious context, healthy lifestyle interventions with a religious approach can be more helpful because the interventions are socially and culturally consistent with them.