A successful lifestyle intervention model replicated in diverse clinical settings

S Afr Med J. 2016 Jul 3;106(8):763-6. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i8.10136.

Abstract

Lifestyle interventions can treat metabolic syndrome and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus, but they remain underutilised in routine practice. In 2010, an LI model was created in a rural primary care practice and spread with few resources to four other rural practices. A retrospective chart review evaluated changes in health indicators in two practice environments by following 372 participants, mainly women (mean age 52 years). Participants had a mean body mass index of 37 kg/m2at baseline and lost an average of 12% of their initial body weight as a result of the intervention. Among participants at the first intervention site for whom cardiometabolic data were available, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 58% at baseline to 19% at follow-up. Taken as a whole, our experience suggests that LIs are feasible and deliver meaningful results in routine primary care practice.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Healthy Lifestyle*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / psychology
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Preventive Health Services* / methods
  • Preventive Health Services* / standards
  • Primary Health Care* / methods
  • Primary Health Care* / organization & administration
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality Improvement / organization & administration
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Health Services* / standards
  • Rural Health Services* / statistics & numerical data