Abstract
Objectives: We developed a tool, the Diet-Lifestyle Support Guide (DLSG), to assist counselors in improving skills to achieve client behavioral changes in the intensive lifestyle modification program of Specific Health Guidance. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of the DLSG in the weight management program.
Methods: This is a prospective historical cohort-matched, non-randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (n=35; 24 males, 11 females) received health guidance using an adaptation of DLSG, with the initial interview held between September 2011 and January 2013. The control group (n=35) received conventional counseling from April 2008 to August 2011. Both groups underwent the same protocol, and the participants were individually matched with cases by sex, age, initial body mass index, and smoking status. We examined differences in changes of anthropometric and laboratory data for up to one year.
Results: No significant differences were noted between the initial and 6-month weight or waist circumference. However, a significant difference (p‹0.001) was noted in weight between the intervention and control groups (-0.8 kg vs. +0.5 kg, respectively) during the follow-up period. A significant difference was also noted in weight change at 1 year (-2.5 kg vs. -0.8 kg, p‹0.01). Additionally, we noted a significant difference in the change in waist circumference (p‹0.001).
Conclusions: Since further significant weight loss was observed only in the intervention group. The Diet-Lifestyle Support Guide may promise a certain level of effectiveness for improving metabolic syndrome status.
