Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: According to the risk factors study for noncommunicable diseases STEPS 2016, carried out under the auspices of the World Health Organization, in 2016–17 years 60.6% Belarusians had overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m²); 25.4% had obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²), and the proportion of women with obesity (30.2%) was 1.5 times higher than men (20.2%). Thus, the project aim was to develop a methodology for group non-drug treatment of overweight and obesity and evaluate the effectiveness.

Materials and methods: Inclusion in the project was based on the results of filling out an online questionnaire (from 11.02 to 25.02), posted on social networks. 44 young women aged 20–45 years (34.5 (29.0–42.0)) with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² were selected. At the first meeting, growth 1.65 (1.57–1.80) m, weight 75.0 (67.2–135.8 kg, BMI – 29.6 (25.6–35.7) kg/m², waist circumference 80 (78–129) cm, fasting glycemia 4.9 (4.4–5.7) mmol/l, total cholesterol 4.2 (3.8–5.7) mmol/l were estimated. The project is joint initiative of the Belarusian Women’s Union and Belarusian Public Medical Association ‘Endocrinology and Metabolism’.

Results: Using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) 59% (26 women) had restrained eating behavior, 45% (20 women) had emotional eating behavior, 41% (18 women) had external eating behavior, any eating disorder – 81% (35 women). The food diary led 91% (40 women) to the second meeting, 56.8% (25 women) to the third. BMI decreased by 7% (became 27.5 (25.2–33.4). In the first three months of work, total weigh became easier by 46 kilograms. A decrease in body weight was noted in 81% (36 women), in 19% (7 people) unchanged. After training course, the proportion of patients with eating disorders decreased to 68% (30 women). A group of dynamic observation was formed, the purpose of which is to maintain optimal body weight and the formation of healthy habits.

Conclusions: A high proportion of people with eating disorders among women with overweight and obesity in the Republic of Belarus is determined. The application of group training meetings is effective in reducing body weight.