The Effect of Exercise-Oriented Training on Physical Activity Level and Exercise Awareness in Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Obesity and insufficient physical activity are among the most important health problems of today. Both obesity and physical inactivity are risk factors for many chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an exercise-oriented training on physical activity level and exercise awareness in overweight and obese women. Participants (n=112) were randomized into intervention group (IG) and control group (CG) and followed-up for three months. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ) was applied to both groups at the beginning and end of the study to determine the level of physical activity, and the Exercise Health Belief Model Scale (EHBM) was applied to evaluate the exercise awareness level, and anthropometric measurements (weight, body mass index, waist circumference) were recorded. The CG received no other interventions other than routine recommendations. The IG was given face-to-face training to increase exercise awareness along with routine recommendations after the first meeting, and they were contacted by phone every two weeks for three months.