abstract | 211

265

Motivational Interview (MI) using co-active life coaching skills as a treatement for obesity

C. Newnham-Kanas, J.D. Irwin, and D. MorrowFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Introduction: This study was designed specifically to evaluate the impact of Motivational Interviewing, brought to fruition via the skills of Co-Active Life Coaching (CALC), on anthropometric outcomes (waist circumference and BMI), self-esteem, self-efficacy, physical activity, quality of life, and functional health status of adults with obesity. Method: This study targeted a sample of eight women aged 35-55 with a BMI ≥ 30. Participants engaged in 18 40-minute sessions with a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, during which they explored participants’ desired changes and how to achieve them. Waist circumference, BMI, the 36-item Functional Health Status Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a series of self-efficacy questionnaires, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were assessed at baseline, and again at the end of the intervention. Results of the study’s weekly body composition measures were evaluated using visual inspection. Results of the pre and post surveys were interpreted on a group basis, taking into account whether a clinically meaningful difference was achieved. results: BMI decreased for all participants with a more pronounced decrease in participants one, four, five, six, seven, and eight. WC decreased for participants one, four, five, six, seven, and eight, and remained stable for participants two and three. The mainly large- and medium-effect sizes indicated clinically significant improvements in participants’ self-esteem (Cohen’s d = 1.85), functional health status (Cohen’s d = 1.34), QOL (Cohen’s d = 0.72), self-efficacy (Cohen’s d = 0.77), and physical activity (Cohen’s d = 0.6). conclusion: MI via life coaching is associated with clinically significant decreases in BMI and increases in self-esteem, functional health status, self-efficacy, physical activity, and quality of life.

266

Qualitative assessment of motivational interviewing (MI) using co-active Life coaching skills as a treatment for obesity

C. Newnham-Kanas, D. Morrow and J.D. IrwinFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess the impact of Motivational Interviewing (MI), brought to fruition via the skills of Co-Active Life Coaching (CALC), on adults with obesity. Methods: This study targeted a sample of eight women aged 35-55 with a BMI ≥ 30. Participants engaged in 18 40-minute sessions with a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach during which they explored participants’ desired changes and how to achieve them. At the end of the initial meeting with participants, a short semi-structured interview was conducted to gain insight into the lived experience of obese individuals. At the end of the 18 sessions, a post-interview was conducted with each participant to gain insight into whether anything had changed for clients since the beginning of the study and to provide insight into the coaching experience for participants. Six months after the end of the intervention, six participants returned for a focus group to understand what had happened since the coaching ended and how they planned on moving forward. The coach of the study was also interviewed at the end of the intervention to gain insight into the coach’s experience in working with individuals with obesity. results: Prior to the start of the study, participants reported that their weight served as a barrier in relationships with others, not recognizing themselves anymore, lack of control over their weight, and a desire to be healthy. At the end of the study, participants reported an increase in daily physical activity and healthier dietary choices, feelings of

optimism, and greater self-acceptance. Findings from the focus group and the coach’s interview will be available for April 2011.

267

Investigating physical activity as a moderator between body mass index and body-related shame, guilt, and pride in adults

Andree L. Castonguay, and Catherine M. SabistonMcGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Introduction: Self-conscious emotions (e.g., shame, guilt, pride) have been linked to a wide range of negative mental health outcomes, and may drive health behaviours such as dieting and physical activity (PA). Body-related self-conscious emotions may be particularly salient in aspects related to the body and driving health behaviours. The current study sought to examine the associations between body mass index (BMI) and body-related self-conscious emotions of shame, guilt, and hubristic and authentic facets of pride. PA was investigated as a moderator of this relationship. Methods: Males and females (n=541; Mage=28.7, SD=14.6, range= 17-68 yrs; 28.1% male; MBMI=24.7, SD=5.3 kg/m2) were recruited via e-mail and posted advertisements, at various community centres and around university campuses in the Montréal region. Scientifically supported self-report measures were used to assess BMI, PA, and body-related shame, guilt, and pride. results: Separate hierarchical linear regressions, controlling for socioeconomic status, age, and sex, indicated that having elevated BMI levels were linked to higher levels of shame (=.45, p<.001) and guilt (=.39, p<.001), and lower levels of hubristic (=-.12, p<.01), and authentic pride (=-.20, p<.001), predicting 39, 26, 8, and 13% of the variance in these emotions, respectively. PA was not found to moderate this relationship. conclusions: These findings suggest that individuals with a high BMI may be at increased risk for experiencing shame and guilt, and less likely to experience the positive emotion of pride. Thus, strategies aimed at helping adults with elevated BMIs effectively cope with body-related self-conscious emotions may need to be targeted.

268

association of superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue and deep subcutaneous adipose tissue with body fat mass in four ethnic groups

S. Kohli1, A.N. Farias-Godoy1, A. Sniderman2, A. Tchernof3, and S.A Lear1

1Simon Fraser University and St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; 2McGill Health Science Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 3Laval University Medical Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Introduction: Ethnic variations in body composition have been implicated in differences in cardiovascular risk across ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship between subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT)depots and body fat mass (BFM) between Aboriginal, Chinese and South Asian cohorts to Europeans. Methods: Apparently healthy Aboriginal, Chinese, South Asian, and European (n=822) men and women were assessed for BFM (DEXA scan), and SAT (computer tomography). By identifying the fascia-superficialis, SAT was subdivided into superficial (SSAT) and deep SAT (DSAT). Analyses of variance were used to explore ethnic differences in SSAT and DSAT. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed using DSAT and SSAT as separate dependent variables with fat free mass (FFM) and ethnicity as independent variables. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, BFM, and smoking status. results: Aboriginals (181.0 cm2; p=0.045) and South Asians (178.3 cm2; p=0.013) had significantly higher, while Chinese had significantly lower DSAT compared to Europeans (114.3 cm2; p=<0.001). The Aboriginal cohort had significantly higher SSAT than Europeans (123.1 cm2

vs. 108.7 cm2; p=0.040). Regression analyses showed that in an adjusted model for DSAT (p<0.001), Aboriginals and South Asians had significantly greater DSAT, while Chinese had significantly less DSAT at