Effectiveness of dietary intervention for obese women in Jordan.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to evaluate the outcome of body weight loss consulting in an outpatient nutrition clinic.


METHODS
Forty-five adult females attended 10 individualized treatment one-to-one sessions. Weight and height were measured and the body mass index was calculated. Triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness were measured and the fat percentage was calculated. A hypocaloric diet was given to the women; the percentages of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the diet were kept between 50 and 55% for carbohydrates, between 15 and 20% for protein, and < or =30% of fat.


RESULTS
Average weight loss was 7.4 kg, which was 8.4% of initial. Class III obese subjects achieved the highest weight loss (-9.4 kg). Weight loss was statistically significant after week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4 (P < 0.001). The body mass index was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). The mean fat percentage was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the increasing importance of nutrition counselling in Jordan.
Al Hourani
Huda
H
The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. hhourani@hu.edu.jo
Atoum
Manar
M
Alboqai
Omar
O
Ismail
Leila Cheikh
LC
Al Dhaheri
Ayesha
A
Hijjawi
Nawal
N
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003376:Counseling; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult