title: Effect of a multifaceted, church-based wellness program on metabolic syndrome in 41 overweight or obese congregants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A rise in obesity, poor-quality diets, and low physical activity has led to a dramatic increase in the number of Americans with metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Our objective was to determine the effect of a short-term, multifaceted wellness program carried out in a church setting on weight, metabolic syndrome, and self-reported wellness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one overweight or obese adults in a church congregation provided fasting blood samples and answered a wellness questionnaire before and after completing an 8-week diet and exercise program. We also measured weight, body fat, body mass index, and waist and hip circumference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention decreased weight, body fat, and central adiposity; improved indexes of metabolic syndrome; and increased self-reported wellness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multifaceted wellness intervention that emphasizes diet and exercise can rapidly influence weight, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and self-reported wellness.
authors.affiliation: Center for Botanical Lipids, 391 Technology Way, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA. ivester@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ivester
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sergeant
authors.forename: Suzanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Danhauer
authors.forename: L Douglas
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: Alec
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamb
authors.forename: Briana G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Chilton
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Delar
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hollingshead
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Floyd H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Chilton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000379:methods*; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D033303:Protestantism; D016896:Treatment Outcome