title: Assessing and targeting key lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors at the workplace: Effect on hemoglobin A1c levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the key role played by lifestyle habits in the epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D), nutritional quality and physical activity are not systematically considered in clinical practice. The project was conducted to verify whether assessing/targeting lifestyle habits could reduce hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels of employees.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention consisted of a 3-month competition among teams of five employees to favor peer-based support in the adoption of healthier lifestyle habits (Eat better, Move more, and Quit smoking) (n = 900). A comprehensive cardiometabolic/cardiorespiratory health assessment was conducted before and after the contest (nutrition/physical activity questionnaires, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, HbA1c, fitness). HbA1c levels were used to identify individuals with prediabetes (5.7%-6.4%) or T2D (≥6.5%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, 51% of the employees had increased HbA1c levels (≥5.7%). The HbA1c levels were associated with waist circumference, independently of body mass index. Subjects with prediabetes showed a higher waist circumference as well as a more deteriorated cardiometabolic profile compared to workers with normal HbA1c levels. After the intervention, employees with elevated HbA1c significantly reduced their HbA1c levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that assessing/targeting key lifestyle correlates of the cardiometabolic profile represents a relevant approach to target abdominal obesity and fitness with a significant impact on HbA1c levels.
authors.affiliation: a Quebec Heart and Lung Institute , Québec , QC , Canada.|b Department of Kinesiology , Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval , Québec , QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lévesque
authors.affiliation: a Quebec Heart and Lung Institute , Québec , QC , Canada.|c Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval , Québec , QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.affiliation: a Quebec Heart and Lung Institute , Québec , QC , Canada.|b Department of Kinesiology , Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval , Québec , QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Després
authors.affiliation: a Quebec Heart and Lung Institute , Québec , QC , Canada.|b Department of Kinesiology , Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval , Québec , QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alméras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D016272:Occupational Health; D010379:Peer Group; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: Abdominal obesity; cardiometabolic risk; cardiorespiratory fitness; nutrition; physical activity; type 2 diabetes