The Impact Of A 12 Week Education Based Intervention Program On Metabolic Risk Factors And Mental Health

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk factors diagnosed when an individual presents with at least 3 of the following: hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and abdominal obesity. It is prevalent worldwide and is associated with negative health outcomes. It is also often associated with poor measures of mental health such as depression and stress. A nutrition and physical activity intervention program using behavioral change techniques and individual goal setting (HealthEYou, HEY) has been found effective in mediating risk of MetS; however, its impact on mental health has not been explored. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate HEY on risk factors of MetS and changes in mental health status. METHODS: 18 female participants (age 53 ± 11y; BMI 31 ± 3 kg/m2, body fat 46 ± 5%) were recruited to participate in the HEY program consisting of weekly 60 min group education sessions and 15 min individual meetings for goal setting and coaching. Education included topics on meal planning, nutrition, stress management, mindfulness and physical activity. Participants' weight, height, waist circumference, percent body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels were measured at baseline and upon completion of the 12-week intervention. In addition, participants completed questionnaires to assess mental health including 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Quality of Life scale (QOL). RESULTS: A 22% reduction in MetS criteria met was observed from pre-to post-intervention. The DASS-21 stress subscale score decreased by 18.4% (p = .001), though there was a significant increase in the DASS-21 depression subscale score (p = 003). Participants meeting the criteria for MetS had significant improvements in QOL scores (p = .035). CONCLUSION: The combination of group education and individual goal setting appeared to mediate risk of MetS, leading to improvements in measures of physical and mental health.