DOES COGNITIVE TRAINING MAKE NUTRITION AND EXERCISE PROGRAMS FOR WEIGHT REDUCTION MORE SUCCESSFUL?

By carrying out an intervention study including a two-month period of executing measures and an observation period of another two months, the hypothesis stating that cognitive training makes weight reduction programs more successful is to be confirmed. The measures are introduced in a fitness facility. This study involved a cooperation with Mrs. Sporty. The target group are overweight women from the age of 30 onwards. From this target group of overweight women from the age of 30 onwards, three groups of 25 participants each are randomized. Two groups of 25 participants each are assembled from various Mrs. Sporty facilities in Flensburg, Schleswig, Rendsburg, and Husum. A third group of overweight non-athletes is generated over the press, flyers, and posters. All groups equally take part in one or, if required, two introductory individual interviews at the beginning in which initial data is gathered by way of a questionnaire that was developed for the study and first measurements are taken regarding BMI, waist size, and body fat content. Moreover, the participants’ individual situation and their specific problems are discussed and the intervention is adjusted accordingly. For participants that also receive cognitive training, mental measures that are in accordance with the concept developed and presented for the study are additionally integrated in the interviews as well as in the questionnaire and conducted theoretically and practically throughout the entire procedure.