The effect of web‐based and face‐to‐face training given to office workers on health beliefs and physical activity levels regarding obesity.

Aim: This study compared the effects of web‐based and face‐to‐face education given to office workers on health beliefs and physical activity levels towards obesity. Methods: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of 768 office workers between February 2020 and April 2021, and the sample of the research consisted of 90 individuals selected from the population using the nonprobability sampling method. Clinical trial number of the study is NCT05591846. Results: A total of 90 people, including 30 people in each group, were included in the study. According to the obesity health belief model, a positive change was achieved in the beliefs of individuals about obesity; it was determined that there was a significant increase in the subdimensions of the importance of health, sensitivity, seriousness and perception of benefit and a decrease in the perception of obstacles (p < 0.05). After both education methods were given according to the health belief model, a positive change was achieved in the physical activity level of the individuals; it was determined that the physical activity level score increased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that web‐based and face‐to‐face education given to individuals had a positive effect on the obesity health belief model components and the levels of physical activity level. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Beliefs about obesity and physical activity are changed by face‐to‐face education methods.Along with the changing and developing technology, web‐based education has gained importance as well as face‐to‐face education.Studies on the effect of web‐based education compared with face‐to‐face education are limited. What this paper adds? This study determined that face‐to‐face education and web‐based education had an effect on beliefs about effecting change in obesity and the duration of physical activity.Web‐based education can be as effective as face‐to‐face education for this. The implications of this paper: Individuals' beliefs about reducing obesity can change with face‐to‐face education and also with web‐based education, which can be accessed more easily in desired time periods.Web‐based education can be used to improve obesity in cases where face‐to‐face education cannot be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]