title: Maintenance of lifestyle changes: 3-year results of the Groningen Overweight and Lifestyle study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the three-year effect of lifestyle counseling by a nurse practitioner (NP) on physical activity (PA) and dietary intake compared with usual care by a general practitioner (GP).
  
  
  METHODS
  At baseline, subjects were randomly allocated to the NP group (n = 225) or to the GP group (n = 232). The NP group received a low-intensive lifestyle intervention for three years by the NP and the GP group received one consultation by the GP and thereafter usual care. PA and dietary intake were assessed with questionnaires at baseline, 1 year follow-up and 3 year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After three years, leisure-time activity increased and favorable improvements towards a healthy diet were made for both groups. These three-year changes in PA and diet did not differ significantly between groups. Changes in PA and dietary habits after one year were practically maintained after 3 years, because only small relapses were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After three years, subjects were more physically active and had a healthier diet compared to baseline. Lifestyle counseling by NP resulted in similar lifestyle changes compared to GP consultation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPs could also advice patients at cardiovascular risk by lifestyle counseling, to possibly reduce GP barriers.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Driehuis
authors.forename: Jeroen C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barte
authors.forename: Nancy C W
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Ter Bogt
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Beltman
authors.forename: Andries J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van der Meer
authors.forename: Wanda J E
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Bemelmans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome