Applying the Social Cognitive Theory to Design a Health Education Program on Weight-Loss Behaviors Among Police Officers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Being overweight/having obesity is a prevalent condition not only among the general population but also among individuals with special occupations such as police officers, where fitness is often a necessity. The present study's aim was to assess how much a psychoeducational intervention based on social cognitive theory (SCT) would be helpful for encouraging weight loss behaviors among police officers. Methods: In a randomized control trial, 102 police officers who were overweight or had obesity voluntarily registered for a weight loss program and were assigned to either an intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group took part in a health education program comprising six face-to-face 60-80 minute sessions over a 6-week period that was designed based on SCT principles. The control group participated in routine worksite health promotion programs comprising weekly one-hour sessions on lifestyle-related topics and optional individual nutrition consultations. At baseline and 3 months after the intervention, both groups were examined in terms of SCT's measures and weight control strategies as the primary outcomes, as well as para-clinical variables such as blood lipid profile and body mass index (BMI) as secondary outcomes. Analysis of covariance was used to assess changes from baseline to follow-up between groups. Results: All SCT measures indicated significant improvements among those in the intervention group compared with the control group. Outcome expectancy ( Conclusions: An education program based on SCT may contribute to weight loss among police officers who are overweight/have obesity. Assessment of the program's effects in other settings and occupational populations is warranted.