The effect of a non-intensive community-based lifestyle intervention on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The DEPLAN study in Greece.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a non-intensive, community-based, lifestyle intervention program on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), in individuals at high risk for development of type 2 diabetes (T2D).


METHODS
In accordance with the FINDRISC score, 191 high-risk persons for T2D, 56.3±10.8 years old, participated in a one-year lifestyle intervention program consisting of six bi-monthly sessions with a dietician. MS prevalence was assessed at baseline and one year later.


RESULTS
The intervention was completed by 125 participants. They lost on average 1.0±4.8 kg (p=0.025) (mean±SD) and registered favourable dietary changes. The baseline prevalence of MS was similar among age groups and genders and decreased after one year (from 63.4±48.4% to 54.8±50.0%, p<0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model, younger age (p=0.009), male gender (p=0.004), improvement of the dietary score after one year (p=0.022), a lower FINDRISC score (p=0.033), a lower triglyceride level (p=0.010) and a higher baseline HDL-C level (p=0.003) were significantly and independently associated with improvement in MS status.


CONCLUSIONS
A non-intensive lifestyle intervention program to prevent T2D is effective in decreasing the prevalence of MS in individuals at high risk for T2D development, possibly conferring multiple cardiovascular health benefits.
First Department of Propaedeutic Medicine, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece. kmakrila@med.uoa.gr
Konstantinos
K
Makrilakis
Sofia
S
Grammatikou
Stavros
S
Liatis
Meropi
M
Kontogianni
Despoina
D
Perrea
Charilaos
C
Dimosthenopoulos
Kalliopi-Anna
KA
Poulia
Nicholas
N
Katsilambros
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation