Comparison of the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy on self-efficacy, lifestyle related to eating and body mass index in overweight people

For years, clinical psychologists have found that emotional states can affect physical problems, and the link between psychological stress and physical characteristics, including obesity, has recently been evaluated. Self-efficacy is one of the concepts that have attracted a lot of attention in weight loss programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dialectical behavioural therapy on lifestyle self-efficacy related to eating and body mass index in overweight people. For this purpose, during a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test group, among overweight people referred to medical centres and regional nutrition clinics in Tehran, 30 people were selected as convenient samples and assigned in two experimental groups and control group. The experimental group treated with dialectical behavioural therapy, and the control group only participated in group sessions on food awareness and food types. Before and after the intervention, the groups were assessed for self-efficacy, lifestyle, weight, and body mass index. The results of multivariate analysis of covariance (Manqua) showed that dialectical behavioral therapy is effective on lifestyle self-efficacy. The results of this study support the effectiveness of dialectical behavioural therapy on self-efficacy, eating lifestyle, and body mass index in overweight people.