Impact of a Nutrition Education and Counseling Program on Diet, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight and Obesity: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Obesity is a global health issue attributed to changes in dietary habits and inadequate physical activity.Objective: This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition counseling and education program on dietary habits, physical activity, and biomarkers among adults.Methods: This non-randomized controlled trial was conducted over 30 days in a primary care setting. Participants were grouped according to whether they chose to join the intervention program (n = 40) or maintain their regular diet (n = 20). The intervention group received personalized meal plans, recipes, and physical activity recommendations in line with the Saudi guidelines for obesity prevention and intervention. Self-reported questionnaires assessed diet, nutrition, and physical activity pre- and post-intervention. The blood glucose and total cholesterol levels were collected. Adherence was monitored with regular appointments.Results: There was a significant increase in the number of participants who followed healthy dietary habits (p < 0.05), and a substantial increase in the number of active participants in the level of physical activity post-nutrition counseling in the intervention group compared to the baseline visit (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected among the control group.Conclusion: The 30-day evidence-based intervention program improved participants’ nutrition knowledge, food habits, and physical activity. A more extended program may be needed to enhance obesity-related cardiometabolic parameters significantly.