title: Assessing the Efficacy of a Group Mediated Nutritional Knowledge Intervention for Individuals with Obesity.
abstract: This study reports on the effect of a group-based nutrition and physical activity intervention program on nutrition knowledge and eating habits in a cohort of people with obesity.
  
  
  
  A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures. The intervention consisted of physical activity led by certified exercise physiologists and a nutritional education component led by registered dietitians over a 6-month period followed by 6 months of self-management. Participants' nutrition knowledge and eating habits were assessed using the modified Nutrition Assessment, the Nutrition Knowledge Survey, and the Food Choice Questionnaires at baseline, after the 6-month intervention, and after 6 months of self-management.
  
  
  
  Complete data were available for 59 (40%) of participants after 12 months because of attrition. Nutritional knowledge and behaviours improved. Participants reported increasing their consumption of healthy foods during the active intervention and maintained these changes through the self-management phase. Knowledge of healthy foods was improved and a greater likelihood of choosing food for weight control and health properties was reported.
  
  
  
  Knowledge and reported consumption of healthier nutrition improved during the active intervention and was maintained during the self-management period for individuals who completed the program. Registered dietitians can play an important role in managing patients with obesity in group settings.
authors.affiliation: a Dalhousie University Family Medicine Teaching Unit, Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Fredericton, NB, Canada.
authors.forename: Baukje
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miedema
authors.affiliation: b Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, The University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bowes
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: d Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reading
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population