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THE IMPACT OF THE 16-WEEK HEALTHEYOU PROGRAM ON THE MITIGATION OF METABOLIC DISEASE RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Talya Emily Geller, Svetlana Nepocatych, Elizabeth Bailey. Elon University, Elon, NC.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing concern in the United States and around the world. MetS is a cluster of disease risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity increasing the risk of cardiometabolic disease development. The purpose of this study was to design, deliver and assess the efficacy of a 16-week physical activity and nutrition education program (HealthEYou) on mediating metabolic risk factors associated with MetS. METHODS: A survey and focus groups were used to assess the needs of the target population to develop the 16-week education program. Twenty-six participants (age: 50.1±9.2 yrs; Body Mass Index (BMI): 31.2±5.3 kg/m2) enrolled in the HealthEYou program. At baseline, 8- and 16-weeks participants completed assessments including blood pressure, body composition via Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and waist circumference, 6-minute walk test, handgrip strength test, dietary intake via the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA-24) dietary assessment tool, and quality of life questionnaire. In addition, blood was drawn to assess metabolic disease risk markers (total cholesterol, glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)). The education program consisted of 8-weeks in-person weekly interactive group (60 min) and individual goal setting (15 min) sessions and 8-weeks of weekly newsletters and two individual goal setting sessions. RESULTS: Data was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. 41.7% of participants at the baseline met MetS criteria compared to 18.2% (POST-8) and 15.8% (POST-16). A significant decrease in fat mass at POST-8 (35.8±10.5 kg, p=0.005) and POST-16 (34.4±10.47 kg, p=0.003) compared to baseline (36.8±10.5 kg) and in HbA1c at POST-8 (5.14±0.31%, p=0.003) and POST-16 (5.12±0.37%, p=0.001) compared to baseline (5.36±0.40%) was observed. In addition, significant improvements in distance walked, handgrip strength, caloric intake and quality of life (p<0.05) were observed. However, no significant changes (p>0.05) in total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose or systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed following the program. CONCLUSION: Participants who completed the 16-week program improved a number of metabolic risk factors contributing to MetS. The physiological improvements coincide with improvement in dietary intake and fitness levels, suggesting positive lifestyle changes were made.

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