Abstract P340: Development and Delivery of an Effective 16-week HealthEYou Program to Mitigate Metabolic Disease Risk Factors

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing concern in the U.S and around the world. MetS is a cluster of disease risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity increasing the risk of cardiometabolic disease development. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 16-week nutrition and physical activity education program (HealthEYou) in mediating metabolic risk factors associated with MetS. Methods: This was a two phase study including phase 1) the use of a person-based approach and community needs assessment to develop a nutrition and physical activity education program, and 2) delivery of the 16-week workplace education program and assessment of its effectiveness. In phase 1, a survey and focus groups were used to assess the needs of the target population to develop the 16-week education program. Twenty-six participants (96% female; age: 50.1±9.2 yrs; BMI: 31.2±5.3 kg/m2) enrolled in the HealthEYou program. At baseline, 8- and 16-weeks participants completed assessments including blood pressure, body composition via Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and waist circumference, 6-minute walk test, handgrip strength test, dietary intake via the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA-24) dietary assessment tool, and quality of life questionnaire. In addition, blood was drawn to assess metabolic disease risk markers (total cholesterol, glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)). The education program consisted of 8-weeks in-person weekly interactive group (60 min) and individual goal setting (15 min) sessions and 8-weeks of weekly newsletters and two individual goal setting sessions. Results: Data was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The prevalence of MetS among the participants decreased significantly from 41.7% at baseline to 15.8% after completion of the program. There was a significant decrease from baseline compared to after 16-weeks in fat mass (36.8±10.5 kg and 34.4 ±10.47 kg, p=0.003) and HbA1c (5.36±0.40% and 5.12±0.37%, p=0.001). In addition, significant improvements in distance walked, handgrip strength, caloric intake and quality of life (p<0.05) were also observed. However, no significant changes (p>0.05) in total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose or systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed at 16-weeks compared to baseline measures. Conclusion: In conclusion, the use of a person-based approach and community needs assessment was beneficial to the development of a 16-week nutrition and physical activity education program. Participants who completed the 16-week program had significant improvements in a number of metabolic risk factors. In addition, the physiological improvements corresponded with improvements in dietary intake and fitness levels, suggesting participants made positive lifestyle changes.