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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287616
Title: Community-based lifestyle intervention improves weight loss, fitness and chronic disease risk biomarkers

Author
item Raatz, Susan
item SCHEETT, ANGELA - University Of North Dakota
item JOHNSON, LUANN - University Of North Dakota
item WESTERENG, REBECCA - Altru Health System
item LANGEI, CHRISTINE - Grand Forks Park District

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2014
Publication Date: 10/1/2014
Citation: Raatz, S.K., Scheett, A.J., Johnson, L.K., Westereng, R.A., Langei, C.M. 2014. Community-based lifestyle intervention improves weight loss, fitness and chronic disease risk biomarkers. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 13(2):19-12.

Interpretive Summary: Lifestyle modification of diet, physical activity and behavior is a proven methodology for weight loss and health improvement. We examined a locally designed, community-based lifestyle intervention program administered by a certified personal trainer (CPT) and registered dietitian (RD) at a local fitness center. Assessment of anthropometric, fitness and metabolic outcomes in 41 overweight and obese adults (age 49.3 ± 1.9 years) were made at baseline, the end of treatment (8 weeks) and follow-up (20 weeks). Participants were randomly assigned to an 8 week intervention (n=23) or to a control (n=18) group which received one educational session at baseline. At 8 weeks, participants in the intervention group had greater weight loss, total fat loss, and trunkal fat loss compared to controls. At 20 weeks, intervention participants maintained their weight loss, particularly reduction in total and truckal fat. A local community-based lifestyle intervention presented by an RD and a CPT is an effective format for a weight management intervention.

Technical Abstract: Although lifestyle modification of diet, physical activity and behavior is a proven methodology for weight loss and health improvement it is typically resource intensive, particularly when administered in a medical setting. We examined a locally designed, community-based lifestyle intervention program administered by a certified personal trainer (CPT) and registered dietitian (RD) at a local fitness center. Assessment of anthropometric, fitness and metabolic outcomes in 41 (2 men, 39 women) overweight and obese (BMI = 32.0 ± 0.5 kg/m2) adults (age 49.3 ± 1.9 years) were made at baseline, the end of treatment (8 weeks) and follow-up (20 weeks). We hypothesized that the intervention would improve weight loss, body composition, fitness parameters, and cardiometabolic risk biomarkers. Participants were randomly assigned to an 8 week intervention (n=23) or to a control (n=18) group which received one educational session at baseline. At 8 weeks, participants in the intervention group had greater weight loss (p<0.05), total fat loss (p<0.05), trunkal fat loss (p<0.05) compared to controls. Participants in both groups reported improved Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire (WEL) scores. At 20 weeks, intervention participants maintained their weight loss, particularly reduction in total (p<0.05) and trunkal fat (p<0.05). No changes were observed in SBP, DBP, TG or hsCRP while significant time related changes were observed in both groups for glucose, insulin, cholesterol, LDL and HDL. A local community-based lifestyle intervention presented by an RD and a CPT is an effective format for a weight management intervention.