Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the awareness, attitude and behavior on weight control of
the population before and after their attendance of the Camp for Eradicating Obesity and Belly Program
and the Weight Control Program. The study also took into consideration the efficiency of attending the
programs as one of the determining factor. The study design was the quasi-experimental research, which
studied obesity and health problem of the attendees before and after they had attended both programs.
The selected samples included 40 people who attended the Camp for Eradicating Obesity and Belly Program,
operated by Viseschaichan Hospital, and other 40 people who attended the Weight Control Program
of the Department of Health, operated by Pamok Hospital. The methodologies used in this research
were descriptive analysis, statistics pair t-test and the Pearson Product moment Correlation Coefficient. The study results for both programs shown an increase in awareness, positive attitude and weight
control efficiency. Meanwhile, blood pressure, body weight and waist circumference were decrease and
were significantly different prior to their attendance of both programs at p < 0.05. The samples who attended
the Camp for Eradicating Obesity and Belly Program could reduced weight 87.5 and 77.5 % by 8
and 16 weeks, while those who attended the Weight Control Program of the Department of Health could
reduced weight 65.0 and 67.5 % by 8 and 16 weeks accordingly. By week 16th, the studies found that the
unit cost of attending the Camp for Eradicating Obesity and Belly Program was 4,489 baht, while the
Weight Control Program was 3,518 baht. However, in order for the attendance to lose weight effectively,
the cost-effectiveness for the Camp for Eradicating Obesity and Belly Program and Weight Control Program
were 5,793 and 5,212 baht per person, respectively. The result of this study suggested that the Camp
for Eradicating Obesity and Belly Program was more effective but not appropriate to used in weight
control of large group population because of its high cost. The Weight Control Program of the Department
of Health had lower unit cost and consequently, was more practical due to its cost-effectiveness.
