Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Other than physical diseases, obesity causes mental problems. Taking psychological treatments related to weight management into consideration, along with diet treatments can help to reduce psychological problems concomitant with obesity, and also help in losing weight. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of rational-emotive behavioral therapy on body mass index, irrational food beliefs, and self- acceptance among overweight teenage girls. From the statistical universe which included 14-18 year old overweight girls, 36 were selected; then, after initial assessment and recognition of overweight, participants were placed in 3 groups of experimental, placebo, and waiting-list randomly. The experiment group received 12 sessions of 90 minutes psychological intervention. Placebo group participated in 12 group sessions for investigating monitoring forms. Waiting- list group received no interventions. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 20 and AMOS software at the level of α<0/05. At the post test stage, multivariate analysis of covariance results and pair-wise comparisons showed that compared to waiting- list group, body mass index decreased in experiment group, but compared to placebo group no significant difference was observed. However, in the follow-up stage, in comparison with waiting- list and placebo groups, the body mass index showed significant difference in experiment group. The results also illustrated that in the post- test stage and follow up stage, showed that the average score of irrational food beliefs decreased, but self- acceptance increased significantly.

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