Lifestyle Intervention Program for Amelioration of Dysmetabolism in Overweight Women

Abstract

Overweight and obesity, a cluster of multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis such as elevated blood pressure, elevated glucose level, and dyslipidemia, increase the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Physical activity and a proper diet are essential preventive measures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a two-month intervention program consisting of a low-caloric diet (1,500 kcal) and increased physical activity on the anthropometric parameters, body composition, resting metabolic rate, and maximum oxygen uptake. The study was conducted in 22 women aged 20–38 with diagnosed overweight or obesity. We found that after completing the eight-week-long intervention program, there were significant changes in body composition, consisting of a smaller proportion of body fat and increased lean body mass. Further, we observed a decrease in body weight by 4.3 ± 2.5 kg (p < 0.01), a reduction in waist and hip circumference of 2.6 ± 4.5 cm (p < 0.01) and 4.4 ± 2.9 cm (p < 0.01), respectively, and an increase in maximum oxygen uptake by about 5.2 ± 8.4 ml/kg/min (p < 0.01). We conclude that the intervention program consisting of counseling on diet and physical activity may be highly motivational for patients with excess body weight and care givers should give it a try before commencing more aggressive psychopharmacological therapies.