Abstract:
Worldwide, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is
ascending. It is a leading public health problem and major economic
burden, because of physical illnesses like congestive heart failure
and psychological effects including depression, low self-esteem,
frustration and disparagement of body image. Furthermore the ideal
of being thin is reinforced socially and by the media. University
students and adolescents are specifically vulnerable and likely to
engage in potentially harmful, unhealthy weight control practices i.e.
laxatives, and diet pills. In line with multicomponent approaches in
dealing with overweightness, the current researcher resolved to
evaluate the impact of a combined Tomatis (TM) and lifestyle
enhancement programme (LEP), with specific emphasis on building
self-esteem in overweight female students.
The investigation was aimed at assessing whether a combined
Tomatis and LEP would lead to statistically significant: (i) reductions
of negative mood states, with scores for Group 1, significantly
exceeding scores obtained within and between the group only
attending the LEP (Group 2) and the control group; (ii)
enhancement of psychological well-being, self-concept and lifestyle,
with scores for Group 1 exceeding scores obtained by Group 2, only
attending the LEP and the control group; and (iii) reduction of Body
Mass lndex (BMI).
A three-group pre-post-assessment design was used. Twenty
nine overweight female university students were recruited and
randomly assigned to Group 1 (TM and LEP), (n=10); Group 2 LEP
only), (n=10); and a non-intervention control group (Group 3, n=9).
Group 1 attended an average of 58 half-hour sessions of sound
Stimulation during a 3-month period and also 10 one and a half hour
sessions of the LEP while Group 2 only attended the LEP. The LEP
consisted of a psychological -, dietetic -, physical exercise - and
clothing component. The following measurement instruments were
used: A self-designed biographical questionnaire, The Profile of
Mood States, Tennessee Self-concept Scale, and Sense of
Coherence Scale.
Both programmes proved successful in terms of reductions of
negative mood states, enhanced psychological well-being and self-concept,
but Body Mass lndex scores remained unchanged. The
outcome of Group 1 did not significantly differ from results obtained
in Group 2. Qualitatively, however, it revealed significant data. Given
the time constraints and inadequate measurement of weight
reduction, it is recommended that future studies involve: (i)
adequate weight reduction measurement; (ii) uses larger, more
homogenous samples; (iii) interventions over a longer time span to
foster lifestyle enhancement; and (iv) utilizing a follow-up
measurement after 3-6 months to determine retention of results.
