Effect of Nutritional Counseling on Health Outcomes in Obese Female Employees At Adam Malik Hospital

The goal of this quasi-experimental study is to determine if nutritional counseling can improve health outcomes in obese female employees at Adam Malik Hospital in Medan. Specifically, the study aims to assess the impact of nutritional counseling on participants\&#39; knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviors, as well as on various health indicators such as anthropometric measurements, body composition, lipid profile, uric acid levels, blood glucose, and HbA1c.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does nutritional counseling lead to improved knowledge about nutrition among participants?
* How does nutritional counseling affect attitudes toward healthy eating and changes in health behaviors?
* What are the effects of nutritional counseling on anthropometric measurements, body composition, lipid profile, uric acid levels, blood glucose, and HbA1c?

Researchers will compare the health metrics of participants before and after receiving nutritional counseling to evaluate its effectiveness.

Participants will:

* Attend personalized nutritional counseling sessions over a period of 2 months.
* Complete assessments that include anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI), body composition analysis, and blood tests for lipid profile, uric acid levels, blood glucose, and HbA1c.
* Fill out questionnaires to provide information on their knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviors before and after the intervention.

This study aims to provide insights into the benefits of nutritional counseling in improving various health outcomes among obese female employees.

This quasi-experimental study is conducted over a period of two months and involves 150 obese female employees at Adam Malik Hospital, Medan. The primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional counseling in improving participants' knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviors related to obesity, as well as measuring key health indicators such as body composition, lipid profile, uric acid levels, blood glucose, and HbA1c.

The study design follows a pretest-posttest model with no control group. All participants undergo baseline measurements for anthropometric indicators (weight, height, and BMI), body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and blood tests for biochemical markers (lipid profile, uric acid, blood glucose, and HbA1c). Nutritional counseling is then provided in sessions where participant receives dietary guidance tailored to their specific needs and health goals.

Data collection also includes demographic information (age, profession, smoking status, alcohol consumption, comorbidities, dietary intake, marital and pregnancy history, socioeconomic status) to offer a broader context for analyzing the outcomes of the intervention. Participants are required to fast for at least 8 hours before blood samples are collected to ensure accurate biochemical assessments.

Upon completion of the counseling intervention, participants will undergo the same assessments as during the pretest phase. The study seeks to detect measurable changes in both behavioral and biological metrics, thereby providing insights into the efficacy of nutritional counseling as a tool for improving health outcomes in an obese working population.

This study also emphasizes the role of structured nutritional education in promoting long-term behavioral change, particularly in settings where employees may face challenges related to weight management. By addressing not only physical health indicators but also psychological factors like knowledge and attitudes, the study aims to contribute to a more holistic approach to workplace health management.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female employees at Adam Malik Hospital, Medan
* Participants aged \&lt;65 years
* Participants with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m²
* Participants who are willing to follow all stages of the research procedure and sign the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding women with infants under 1 year of age
* Participants undergoing routine treatment with insulin, corticosteroids, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, or beta-blockers
* Participants unable to undergo body composition measurement