The Effects of Exercise and Diet Training on Body Mass Index Based on the Training Booklet and Virtual Networks in the Male Employees of Petrochemical Companies in the South Pars Region

Due to the growing trend of overweight and obesity in the employees, and since training is one of the major principles of human resource development and preparedness, this research is conducted to determine the effects of exercise and diet training based on training booklets and virtual networks on the body mass index in the employees. This research was a semi-experimental interventional study with 135 male employees working at petrochemical centers, southern Iran. To this end, they were divided randomly into the three groups of the training booklet, virtual networks, and control. A demographic questionnaire containing 10 items for personal and work characteristics, along with the measurements of height, weight, and BMI was obtained from all samples. In the group of the training booklet, five instruction booklets with contents on appropriate nutrition and physical activities were provided; the group of virtual networks received 48 educational messages, and the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square test, the paired t-test, and ANOVA. The results showed that there were not any significant differences between the three groups before and after the training in demographic variables and the body mass index (p<0.05). The mean of BMI decreased in all educational groups, but it was significant only in the virtual network group (p<0.05). The results also showed that exercise and diet trainings before and after the training intervention were not significant in any of the groups (p<0.05). The results of this study showed that exercise and diet training on telegram could be done cautiously due to the characteristics of the target society; this method is recommended for reducing the body mass index of the employees, with the application of which recommended for the weight control of the employees.