Effect of a 1-Year Controlled Lifestyle Intervention on Body Weight and Other Risk Markers (the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme, Cohort 2)

authored by
Christian Koeder, Ragna Marie Kranz, Corinna Anand, Sarah Husain, Dima Alzughayyar, Nora Schoch, Andreas Hahn, Heike Englert
Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of obesity is high and increasing worldwide. Obesity is generally associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and mortality. The objective of the study was to test the effect of a lifestyle intervention on body weight and other chronic disease risk markers. Methods: A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted, including mostly middle-aged and elderly participants recruited from the general population in rural northwest Germany (intervention: n = 114; control: n = 87). The intervention consisted of a 1-year lifestyle programme, focussing on four key areas: a largely plant-based diet (strongest emphasis), physical activity, stress management, and community support. Parameters were assessed at baseline, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. The control group received no intervention. Results: Compared to the control, in the intervention group, significantly lower 1-year trajectories were observed for body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, calculated LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, remnant cholesterol (REM-C), glucose, HbA1c, and resting heart rate (RHR). However, between-group differences at 1 year were small for glucose, HbA1c, and cholesterol (apart from REM-C). No significant between-group differences were found for 1-year trajectories of measured LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, blood pressure, and pulse pressure. Conclusion: The intervention successfully reduced body weight, BMI, WC, REM-C, and RHR. However, at 1 year, effectiveness of the intervention regarding other risk markers was either very modest or could not be shown.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
External Organisation(s)
Münster University of Applied Sciences
Type
Article
Journal
OBESITY FACTS
Volume
15
Pages
228-239
No. of pages
12
ISSN
1662-4025
Publication date
17.03.2022
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Health(social science), Physiology (medical)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1159/000521164 (Access: Open)