Low Intensive Lifestyle Modification in Young Adults with Metabolic Syndrome A Community-Based Interventional Study in Taiwan

The study aims to find whether a low intensity lifestyle modification (LILM) program was effective to achieve weight reduction and improves metabolic syndrome in young adults. Our study prospectively enrolled young adults aged 30 to 45 years with metabolic syndrome in northeastern Taiwan from June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009. The participants in the intervention group attended a LILM program for 6 months, which included 4 interactive group discussion sessions and weekly phone contact with volunteer counselors. Participants in the comparison group, however, attended only 1 noninteractive session on diet and physical activity. The main outcomes measured the weight reduction and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in intervention and comparison groups. Generalized estimating equation modeling was used to analyze the effects at baseline, during the study, and postcompletion of the program. Compared with comparison group, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in body weight (-2.95±3.52 vs -0.76±2.76kg, P<0.0001) and body mass index (-1.03±1.25 vs -0.30±1.16kg/m 2, P<0.0001). After adjustment for potential confounders, a modest decrease in body weight resulted in a statistically significant 43.32% resolution in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the intervention group compared with 33.64% in the comparison group (P<0.01). The 6-month LILM program is not only effective in weight reduction but also an efficient intervention tool of metabolic syndrome in a community setting. The program with restricted manpower and limited medical resources can be practically transferred into primary care in rural area.