The experiences of female overweight adolescents undergoing weight reduction are rarely reported. There is a paucity of studies using qualitative methodology to evaluate weight-reduction experiences. The aim of this study was to understand the main themes of the experiences of overweight female adolescents undergoing weight reduction after receiving school based health promotion counseling. Qualitative design was adopted and seven focus group discussions were conducted. On the basis of the qualitative method, the data were subjected to content analysis by means of the constant comparison method. A total of 30 female participants studying in a junior college of nursing were recruited in this study. All of them had been overweight or obese throughout the past four years. The findings revealed four themes of weight reduction experiences: living with changes; aspire vs. retreat; sense of alienation; support is a motivator. The outcomes of this study support the value of health promotion counseling conducted at school-based settings. It also provides references for health professionals promoting healthy ways of life.

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Obesity among adolescents is increasing in both developed and developing countries. However, previous studies have paid little attention to the roles that gender and body weight variables play in health-related behavior. This article examines the effects of these two variables on health-related behavior in Taiwanese adolescents. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used with three body weight categories (underweight, average and overweight) and two gender categories (female and male). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t test, and one-way ANOVA with Scheffe's post hoc test. The results showed that average weight adolescents scored significantly higher than their overweight peers in the three dimensions of social support, health responsibility, and exercise behavior. Average weight adolescents also scored higher than the underweight group in the dimension of health responsibility. Girls scored significantly better than boys in five out of the total six health-related behavior -scoring lower only in the exercise dimension. These findings should sound an alarm for all public health professionals to take heed to what is happening to our youth. School and family health promotion counseling should be encouraged for overweight adolescents to improve their exercise and lifestyle habits. Based on the findings, school health promotion programs should focus on gender differences. Girls, in particular, need encouragement to improve their exercise habits.

Findings suggest that it is important for nurse educators to be clear and precise about the expectations of the preceptorship experience. Orientation for both preceptors and students is essential. Support and encouragement throughout the entire practicum experience for preceptors and students is necessary to ensure program success.

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