Effect of a multifaceted, church-based wellness program on metabolic syndrome in 41 overweight or obese congregants.
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.
Ivester
Priscilla
P
Center for Botanical Lipids, 391 Technology Way, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA. ivester@wfubmc.edu
Sergeant
Susan
S
Danhauer
Suzanne C
SC
Case
L Douglas
LD
Lamb
Alec
A
Chilton
Briana G
BG
Delar
Bonnie
B
Hollingshead
Monica L
ML
Weaver
Kelly L
KL
Chilton
Floyd H
FH
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