The Effects of Health Coaching on Weight Loss and Behavior Change

A sample of 21 individuals participated in a research study to examine the effect of a health mentor on weight status and weight management behaviors during an eight-week weight loss challenge. Weight status was defined as pounds lost and change in Body Mass Index (BMI). The health mentor met with the experimental group (n=10) four times for 15-minute sessions over the course of the eight-week challenge. Data were evaluated through an initial weigh-in to examine start weight and start BMI, also pre and post evaluation surveys were administered to gather weight management information on topics such as physical activity, meal planning, breakfast consumption and water intake. Results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups' weight loss (p=.003) and BMI change (p=.002). One behavior change, breakfast consumption, proved to be significant (p=.043) as well as a significant change in the experimental group's self-efficacy (p=.005). The results of this research showed health mentoring to have positive impacts on participants in a weight loss challenge in regards to weight loss, self-efficacy and weight management behavior change.