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  Background & Objective : Nutritionists have traditionally recognized breakfast as the most important meal of the day. The importance of eating breakfast is for growing and nutritional well being of children. While health habits such as eating breakfast, maintaining weight, and sleeping regularly are related to the longevity of adults, very little is known about the health habits of disadvantaged school-age children. This study set out to evaluate eating breakfast among adolescent girls and its relationship with body mass index, weight and nutrient intake.

  Methods : This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 611 adolescent primary and secondary school girls (10-14 years old) in Ardabil. Anthropometric studies (height, weight, and MAC) and nutritional status (24 hour recall and food frequency) were done, and the students were asked about eating breakfast and other snacks. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 9 and Food Processor.

  Results : About 16.85% of girls had come to school without eating breakfast. BMI and body weight of these students were significantly more than those of girls who ate breakfast (P<0.05). On the other hand snack intake among the girls who did not use to eat breakfast was more than that among breakfast eaters (P<0.05). The amount of calorie, protein, thiamin, niacin, calcium and iron intake in breakfast-eating girls was more than those among non-eaters (P<0.05). The amount of folacin, riboflavin, calcium and zinc intake in non-eaters was less than recommended dietary allowance of WHO. The result of food frequency showed that the consumption of food such as protein different types of bread, potato, and legume among breakfast eaters was more than their consumption among non-eaters.

  Conclusions : This study indicated that eating breakfast can provide adequate calorie and nutrients but its omission can not only lead to lower calorie and nutrients intake but also have an unfavorable effect on food habit and weight of the students.

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  Background & Objectives : Smoking is one of the major problems in the world today. It threatens people ’ s health. Pregnant women are no exception in this regard. Today, it is found that smoker women bear low birth weight babies, but the studies don ’ t offer clear findings about passive smoking in pregnancy and its effect on weight and height of newborns. This study is an attempt to determine the effects of passive smoking on the weight and height of the newborn babies.

  M ethods : This was a retrospective cohort study. We studied 100 pregnant mothers who were exposed to cigarette smoke and 100 others who were not. A checklist was completed in order to select those who could enter the study. A questionnaire was then filled out for both groups including the information related to the newborns ’ physical specifications.

  Results: This study showed that the average age of the mothers, their education, their husband ’ s education, number of pregnancies and the sex of babies born weren ’ t meaningfully different between the two groups. In the case group the mothers were exposed to cigarette smoke for 2.36 ± 2.28 hours on average and most of them (72%) were exposed to their husbands ’ cigarette smoke. The findings also indicated that difference in weight, height and head circumference among two groups ’ newborns were 11 grams, 0.15 cm and 0.02 cm respectively. The T-test indicated no significant difference between the two groups.

  Conclusion: The study showed that the newborns ’ of mothers exposed to the smoke had lower weigh, height and head circumference than the babies ’ of the control group subjects although the difference was not statistically significant.

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  Background & Objectives: Hypertension is one of the major factors of cardiovascular diseases among hemodialysis patients which shoes its effect along with vascular changes. 75-80% of the patients with ESRD are hypertensive. Despite many available druge to decrease the blood pressure, many of these patients remain hypertensive. The major cause Of Hypertension is the increase in the blood volume which is due to the water and salt retention in the body. It doesn't seem that the uptake of body's fluid for a short period can have a remarkable effect on the pressure.

  Methods: This descriptive analytic study was done on 80 hemodialysis patients who were under trearment at Buali hospital. First patients were investigated according to age, sex, frequency of dialysis in the week and dialysis duration. These for each patient the blood pressure before and during dialysis and weight changes before and after dialysis with two consectiue sessions were measured. Calculated and MAP was determined. Finally data was analyzed through SPSS.

  Results: 48 out of 74 patients (64.9%) had hypertension. Blood pressure was controlled in 41 patients (55.4%). Age, sex, dialysis period and sessions of dialysis did not have a significant relationship with hypertension control. The study showed a high prevalence of high blood pressure in hemodialysis patients (64.9%). The blood pressure was not controlled in the majority of patients (44.6%).

  Conclusion: Patients' weight changes have no significant effect on hypertension. This shows that the causes for blood pressure can be due to other causes different from increase in the blood volume among hemodialysis patients and perhaps the chronic blood volume increase is not related to hypertension.

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 Background & Objectives: 11% of all newborns in the developing countries suffer from low birth weight (LBW). Birth weight has an important role in individual health, family and society. Lower and higher birth weight from standard rate lead to morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between some of maternal anthropometric measurements such as BMI, pre-gravida weight, height, age with birth weight.

 Methods: This is an analytical-descriptive study, in which there were 300 pregnant women who hard referred to Alavi Hospital, Ardebil for delivery. Maternal pre-gravida height, weight and birth weight were collected from their units. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing the maternal pre-gravida weight in kg by height in m squared (kg/m²). The relationship between maternal anthropometric measurements and birth weight was analyzed by t-test.

 Results: Our study showed that 32 (10.7%) women had BMI<19.8, 185 (61.7%) BMI=19.8-26 and 83 (27.7%) BMI>26. 36.3% of women were under 55 kg, 48.3% between 55 to 70 kg and 15.3% over 70 kg. The relationship between maternal pre-gravida BMI, weight and birth weight was statistically significant (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between maternal age and neonatal birth weight.

 Conclusion: Pre-gravida body mass index (BMI) and weight could be two important anthropometric measurements associated with birth weight. Thus, it is recommended that women give adequate preconceptional and prenatal care to decrease the amount of LBW and HBW in population.

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  Background & Objectives: The high incidence of low birth weight (LBW) occurs in developing countries, and diarrhea and respiratory infections are the main causes of infant mortality and morbidity. This study was done to find out whether there was a growth or morbidity response to zinc supplememttion, among LBW infants during the first 6 mo of life.

  Methods: The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind trial study. LBW infants were given daily for 6mo 5mg zn, or a placebo. Questionnairs were filled out during the study by a pediatrician and a GP. Anthropometric measurements were made at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 wk via home visits by trained interviewers.

  Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in zinc and placebo groups. Weight gain in zinc group was significantly higher that of placebo group between 1 to 6 months (p=0.036). Length and head circumference gain were also greater in zinc group than in placebo groups, (p=0.04, p<0.001). The episodes of upper respiratory infections was greater in placebo group than zinc group (mean Episodes in zinc groups= 1.7 and in placebo group was 3) and there was significant difference between two groups (p=0.005). 8 Cases of lower respiratory infections in placebo group and 5 cases in zinc group were observed, but it was not significan diarrheal episods were observed only in placebo groups.

  Conclusion: It was found that low birth weight infants had better growth and lower morbidity during the first 6 months of life by receiving zinc supplementation.

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 Background & Objectives: Measurement of body Weight and height and determining of body mass index (BMI) according to age is one of the most important international indicators for evaluation of growth and physical health. The present study aimed to evaluate growth indices for schoolgirls 7-19 years of age living in Ardabil to compare with standard reference values and similar studies in Iran .

 Methods: To assess the status of growth pattern of 7-19 year girls in Ardebil during 2005, with a descriptive cross-sectional study, 3996 healthy girls were selected by the multi stage sampling method and their age, body weight, height and body mass index were recorded, then 5,10,25,50,75,90,95 percentile, mean and standard deviation in different age were analyzed and compared with NCHS and selected regions of Iran

 Results: The mean of Height and weight in urban girls is higher than their peers in rural regions. Height growth was more during the ages of 9-12 with its peakin 9 years olds with 6 cm annually. The highest increase in weight was at age13 which was estimated 5.5 kg annually. Mean of height and weight in girls of Ardabil is less than their peers in Tehran, Kerman, Esfahan but more than their peers in Zahedan. Of the height, weight and body mass index percentiles in girls of Ardabil aged 7-19 years were less than their American peers according to National Center for Health Statistics data.

 Conclusion: All of percentiles anthropometric factors in girls Ardabil aged 7-19 years were less than NCHS standard.

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  Background & Objectives: Birth weight less than 2500gr (as result of preterm delivery and/or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)) is a major cause of both neonatal health. Predominate cause of LBW in developed countries is premature birth, whereas in developing countries is more often IUGR. Different risk factors, including demographic and behavioral during and before pregnancy are effective in LBW incidences which can reduce LBW and neonatal mortality rate by identification and control of these risk factors. The present study has been carried out with purpose of identification and decreasing the LBW rate in Ardabil.

 Methods: In this case – control study all infants delivered in 2006 in hospitals in Ardabil were investigated. Every neonate whose weight was less than 2500gr was taken as a case (n=470) and 482 neonates whose weight was more than 2500gr was taken as a control. Data gathering was done through questionnaires, interviewing the mothers and physical examination. The data were analyzed statistically through SPSS.

 Results: In the present study, the presence of LBW amount is %6.4 in Ardabil hospitals. The results of our study showed that a significant relationship existed between prematurely and gestational age<37wk, mother’s age, mother’s job and maternal weight, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), maternal diseases, multiple births, bleeding during pregnancy, interval between pregnancies less than <2 years, prior history of low birth weight, use of drugs by mother in pregnancy, congenital malformation with LBW. In this study relation between parity, the use of Folic Acid, Fe, cigarette smoking and addiction of mother, living area (village or city), family marriage, health care and mother’s education were not significant with LBW.

  Conclusion: The LBW important risk factors in Ardabil hospitals were prematurity or gestational age <37wk, multiple pregnancies, PROM, mother’s age over 35 years, and mother weight <50kg, maternal diseases.

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Background & Objectives: Obesity is associated with metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance. Weight loss is always recommended for meaningful reduction in these abnormalities. Therefore, we examined the effects of balanced low calorie diet on weight loss, fasting insulin and insulin resistance in obese women attending the nutrition clinic.

Methods: In this clinical trial, forty five volunteer apparently healthy obese women (body mass index: 33.28 ± 2.90 kg/m² and age: 28.40 ± 7.98 years) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in their first visit. The participants were received a balanced low calorie diet over 6 months after anthropometry measurement and blood sampling for determination of fasting insulin and insulin resistance level. Balanced low calorie diet was an individualized diet with an energy deficit of 500 calories of daily energy intake that was calculated from 3-day food records for every person. At 6 months after intervention, continuous and dichotomous variables were assessed using paired t-test and McNemar test, respectively.

Results: The mean recommended energy intake was 2241.78 ± 219.02(kcal). After 6 months, there were significant reductions in body weight (p=0.003), body mass index (p=0.005), waist and hip circumferences (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was also significant improvement in fasting insulin level (13.47 ± 6.55 vs. 11.95 ± 4.17 µU/ml, p=0.01). Whereas, insulin resistance had not significant reduction (p=0.1).

Conclusion: In obese women attending the nutrition clinic, the balanced low calorie diet resulted in weight loss and improvement in fasting insulin. These positive changes can help to decrease the risk factor profile in obese individuals.

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Background & objective: Aloe-vera is an herb   that has long been used in traditional medicine. Using high-fat diet and fatty liver disorder cause obesity and hyperlipidemia. So, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Aloe - vera gel extract on the body weight and lipid profile in adult male rats treated with high-fat diet.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male rats were included in the control group (no treatment), sham group (treated with high-fat diet 10 ml/kg) and three experimental groups receiving high-fat diet (10ml/kg) along with 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg Aloe- vera gel extracts. Prescriptions were conducted by gavage, for 60 days. At the end, after anesthetizing the rats and phlebotomizing their heart, the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL were measured.   The obtained results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests.
Results: The results showed that high-fat diet significantly increased the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (p<0.001) and weight gain (p<0.01) but had no significant effect on the serum level of HDL. However, in the groups receiving Aloe -vera gel and   high-fat diet, there was a significant decrease in the weight and serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (p<0.05) and LDL (p<0.01).
Conclusion: High-fat diets increase the weight and serums levels of triglycerides, LDL and cholesterol.  Also, the Aloe- vera gel extract causes weight loss and improves lipid profiles in the rats treated with Aloe -vera gel extract.

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Background & objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate 8 weeks individualized balanced low calorie diet on anthropometric measurements in apparently healthy obese women.
Methods: Forty apparently healthy obese women (age: 18-40 years and 27.5≤BMI≤40 kg/m²) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in Ardabil city. The participants received a balanced low calorie diet after anthropometric measurements. Paired T-test was used to compare the changes during 8 - week intervention.
Results: Individualized balanced low calorie diet resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (-3.99±0.34 kg, p<0.001), body mass index (-1.61±0.14 kg/m², p<0.001), waist circumference (-2.91±0.32 cm, p<0.001), hip circumference (-1.89±0.37 cm, p<0.001), waist to hip ratio (-0.01±0.004, p=0.001), waist to stature ratio (-0.02±0.002, p<0.001), body adiposity index (-0.97±0.15%, p<0.001), abdominal volume index (-1.07±0.11, p<0.001) and conicity index (-0.007±0.002, p=0.001) during 8 weeks.
Conclusion: Based on the results, an individualized balanced low calorie diet induced weight loss and decreased other anthropometric measurements during 8 weeks. Balanced low calorie diet-induced moderate weight loss alone can be a good way to reduce metabolic risk factors in obese women. .
 

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Background & objectives: Recently it has been shown that some adipose tissue-derived hormones, such as apelin and omentin, can be effective in regulating metabolic metabolism. So the aim of the current study was to examine the effect of 12-weeks Pilates’ body training on serum levels of apelin and omentin-1 in inactive and overweight women.
Methods: This is a pre-test and post-test clinical trial study in which 28 volunteer overweight women with average BMI of 27.2±1.1 kg/m² participated. They were randomly divided into training group (n=14) and control group (n=14). Pilates exercise training was performed 3 sessions per week, 60 min per session for 12 weeks. In order to measure the changes in serum levels of apelin and omentine-1, blood samples were taken after 12-14 hours at fasting status in two steps, 48 hours before the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session. The paired t-test and the ANCOVA test were used to examine intra-group and inter-group differences, respectively.
Results: Based on the findings of this study, 12 weeks of Pilates training had a significant decrease in apelin serum levels in both intra-group and inter-group with significance level of (p=0.001) and (p=0.009) respectively. Serum levels of omentin-1 also changed significantly in both intra-group and inter-group. The serum levels of omentin-1 in the exercise group significantly increased after 12 weeks compared to pre-training with significance level of (p=0.002) and in comparison with the control group with significance level of (p=0.003).
Conclusion: Regarding to the results of the current study and the positive effect of Pilates exercise on adipokines levels, it seems that Pilates exercise can be a functional factor for regulating adipose tissue hormones (adipokines) in obese or overweight women, and overweight people can do Pilates exercise  based on their ability.
 

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Background & objectives: Over the last couple of decades, research has focused on attempting to understand the genetic influence on sports performance. Whole exome sequencing (WES) has great potential to explore all possible genetic variants associated with physical performance. However, this new technique has not been used in sports genetics research. Therefore the aim of this case study was to report new variants in genes involved in skeletal muscles strength (ACE, NOS3, IGF1R, IL-6) in an elite weightlifter using WES.
Methods: After obtaining a written testimony from a 32-year-old man, who is a member of the Iranian national weightlifting team, 5 cc of blood was taken and then DNA was extracted. DNA samples were analyzed using the whole exome sequencing method.
Results: Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant (99454613G>A) in IGF1R, 22771156C>T polymorphism in IL-6, 150695726T>C and 150704250C>G polymorphisms in NOS3 and 61573761T>C and 61564052A>G in ACE genes.
Conclusion: Results of whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant and polymorphism in muscle strength and hypertrophy related genes in this elite weightlifter. However, other studies with larger sample sizes are needed to investigate the relationship between these variants and power athlete status. 

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Background & objectives: Preptin and adropine are peptide hormones that play an important role in the controlling of obesity by regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training on preptin, adropine and insulin resistance in men with overweight.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 18 overweight and obese men (age 58.39±3.92, body mass index 28.75±1.23) were selected and randomly divided into two groups (control and exercise). Exercise group participated in an aerobic exercise program for eight weeks, five sessions per week (with an intensity of 65 to 85% of maximum heart rate, 40 minutes). Two days before and after the protocol, fasting blood samples were taken. Preptin and adropine were measured by ELISA. Data were tested using independent t-test and ANCOVA at a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The level of preptin in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared to the control group (p=0.001) and the pretest (p=0.000). Also, the adropine level in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group (p=0.000) and the pretest (p=0.000). Also, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values in the exercise group compared to the control group (p=0.000) and pretest (p=0.000) showed a significant decrease.
Conclusions: Exercise improved glycemic index in obese and overweight men by improving the levels of preptin and adropine. It seems that aerobic exercise can be an effective intervention method to control and prevent the occurrence of metabolic diseases in these people.

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Background & objectives: Low birth weight is considered one of the most serious health problems in the world that puts tremendous pressure on the health care system and family. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between some maternal risk factors and low birth weight.
Methods: The present study was a cross- sectional study performed on 264 cases. The data gathering tool was a checklist with two parts to compare two groups in this research. The first part was related to the infant's characteristics (sex, weight, and gestational age of the newborn), and the second part related to maternal characteristics. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Inferential statistics including Mann–Whitney u, chi-square, fisher exact test and logistic regression were used to investigate the relationship between the variables.
Results: In this study, the level of education was lower in mothers with term low birth weight neonates (p=0.024), also normal delivery was reported more frequently among mothers with low birth weight infants (p=0.0001). Also, the mean BMI and the weight at the beginning of pregnancy and overweight in mothers with term neonates and normal weight were greater (p=0.0001, in all). The first minute Apgar score and the fifth minute Apgar score were lower in mothers with low-birth term infants (p=0.002 and p=0.0001). Also distinguished that the gestational age (week) was lower in mothers with low-birth term infants (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: According to the results, increasing progress the pregnancy per week makes it possible to increase the normal weight of newborns by 3.11%.

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Background & objectives: Adipolin is one of the anti-inflammatory adipocytokines that is mainly synthesized and secreted in adipose tissue. This study aimed to compare the two types of Pilates and CX exercises on adipolin level and insulin resistance in overweight women.
Methods: In this semi-experimental research, 30 overweight female subjects (age range 20-40, BMI, 25-30 kg/m2) were divided into three groups of Pilates (10 people), CX (10 people) and control (10 people) .The Pilates group trained with an intensity of 50-80% of the maximum heart rate (8 weeks, three sessions per week, for 60 minutes) and the CX group with an intensity of 50-80% of 1RM (8 weeks, three sessions per week, for 30 minutes). The control group did not do any sports activities. Before and after the intervention, measurements of the subjects' height, weight and body mass index and heart rate were taken using a polar wristwatch, and blood samples were taken from the subjects to check the biochemical factors of adipolin, insulin and glucose. In order to determine the difference between the groups, a mixed statistical test was used. ANOVA and paired statistical tests were used to determine the simple effects of variables.
Results: The results of the present study showed that the implementation of 8 weeks of Pilates and CX exercises increases plasma adipolin level, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the two sports activities of Pilates and CX with the control group (p<0.05); However, there was no significant difference in any of the factors between the Pilates and CX groups. Weight indices, fat percentage, BMI, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance of Pilates and CX groups have significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, it was shown that Pilates and CX exercises cause a significant increase in the serum level of adipolin and a significant decrease in body mass index, fat percentage, weight and insulin resistance compared to the control group (p<0.05), but there was no significant change in these factors between the two groups of Pilates and CX.
 

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Background & objectives: Obesity and vitamin D (VD) deficiency is associated with poor sleep quality (SQ), and lifestyle changes can effectively improve SQ. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high- intensity interval running training (HIIRT) with VD intake on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and SQ in young women with VD deficiency.
Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 52 women with an average age of 25.98±1.95 years, body mass index of 27.54±1.13 kg/m2 and low VD status. After being selected by the available sampling method, the subjects were randomly divided into control, running training, VD and combined groups. HIIT performed in 12x1-min running bouts at 80-90% HRmax interspersed with one minute of active recovery. VD was consumed weekly with a dose of 50,000 units. SQ was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and paired t- test (p<0.05).
Results: After 8 weeks, the levels of BDNF in the experimental groups increased and the SQ score decreased significantly (p<0.05). But the combined intervention had more effect on the change of SQ scales (p<0.05) and BDNF (p<0.001) compared to the other two interventions (p<0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the changes in the SQ score of the running training and VD groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Lifestyle changes such as HIIT, VD intake, and combined intervention can lead to improvement of SQ through the up-regulation of BDNF in women with overweight and VD deficiency. Also combined intervention may have more potent effects on improving these variables.

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Background: Given the high prevalence of obesity and overweight and the detrimental impact on the mental health of affected people, the objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of narrative therapy on social physique anxiety in obese and overweight women.
Methods: The current research was a semi-experimental type, with a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The study population for this research consisted of all obese and overweight women in Tabriz city in 2023. 30 women were selected by the available sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received narrative treatment in 8 sessions of 90 minutes, while the control group did not receive any treatment and was placed on the waiting list. At the end of the treatment period, a post-test was performed in both groups. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale by Hart et al. (1989) was used as the measurement tool. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (covariance test with repeated measures) by SPSS-24 software.
Results: In the pre-test, the mean and standard deviation of social physique anxiety in the experimental group were 44.33±2.289, while in the control group, it was 43.67±3.063. In the post-test stage, the values for social physique anxiety in the experimental group were 36.33±3.117, while in the control group, it was 43.80±3.385. The results indicated the effectiveness of narrative therapy (p<0.001). In the follow-up stages, it was found that the effects of narrative therapy are lasting (p<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that narrative can be an effective method for reducing social physique anxiety in obese and overweight women.
 

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