Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of health and nourishment guidance on the participants' health status in a community-based health promotion program.
Subjects were recruited from participants in a 12-week lifestyle modification program for reducing cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Subjects were middle-aged women ranging from 36 to 64 years old without obvious heart disease. The intervention consisted of guidance in exercise and nutrition for 12weeks.
After the 12-week intervention, body weight, BMI, percentage of fat, total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly decreased. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly lowered. The HDL-cholesterol and maximum oxygen consumption significantly increased.
The results of the dietary habit analysis confirmed that many items have improved regarding obesity. For those with hypertension, whose dietary habits were desirable, showed improvements in the items of intake of vegetable, fruits and salt after the intervention.
These results indicated that a 12-week lifestyle modification program consisting of exercise and nutritional guidance, effectively improved this dietary life.
In conclusion, the implementation of a health promotion program provided a chance for the participants to reconsider and improve their lifestyle.
