This study was done to determine the effects of weight management program using self-efficacy in middle-aged obese women. The study also attempted to measure the effects of the program on the weight efficacy lifestyle, body composition, and depression.

The research design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The experimental group consisted of 21 middle-aged obese women and another 21 middle-aged obese women in the control group. The women in the experimental group participated in the weight management program for 12 weeks using self-efficacy. The weight management program using self-efficacy included education on effects of exercise for weight control, aerobic exercise program, muscle training and counseling through the telephone.

After 12 weeks of participation in the program, BMI (p<.0001), body fat % (p<.0001), abdominal fat (p<.0001), in the experimental group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Weight self-efficacy lifestyle (p<.0001) and depression (p=.006) in the experimental group were significantly improved after the program compared to the control group. According to these findings, weight management program self-efficacy for middle-aged obese women could increase weight efficacy lifestyle, and decrease depression, BMI, body fat, and abdominal fat.

The result also suggested that the increasing weight efficacy and lifestyle help the obese women to perform and continue exercise. This program could be used in the community such as public health center for weight care and mental health promotion of middle-aged obese women.

This study was to examine the effects of an exercise program for middle-aged obese women.

The exercise program combined folk dance and resistance training. The subjects group consisted of 85 middle-aged obese women between 40 and 60 years of age. Three 8 week sessions consisted of a 55-80% maximum heart rate (MHR) exercise for 60-90 minutes a day and 3 times a week from March to November, 2004. Data was collected through a pre- and post-exercise test before and after each session. Data was collected with Inbody, dynamometer and blood. This data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, and a paired t-test with an SPSS/PC(10.0 version) program.

There were significant positive changes in body weight, body fat mass, body mass index, percent body fat, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, and balance quality, but no significant positive changes in skeletal mass, fat free mass, percent abdominal fat(waist-hip ratio), visceral fat area, agility, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglycerides.

This study showed that an exercise program has partially positive effects for middle-aged obese women. The results of this study show that exercise at community health centers should continue for middle-aged obese women's health.