Improved insulin sensitivity, central systolic pressure and inflammatory indicators achieved with minor weight reduction in overweight and obese subjects given education on lifestyle modification

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a global epidemic disease; lifestyle modification is an approach in the prevention and management of obesity. Objective: We determined the effects of education on modified lifestyle intervention on arterial stiffness, metabolic and inflammatory markers. Methods: Twenty-five generally healthy overweight and obese subjects completed nine months education on modified lifestyle intervention at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu. Subjects were regularly counselled to increase physical activity and modify their diet during intervention. Arterial stiffness was measured noninvasively using carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse wave analysis (PWA). Anthropometric measurements, body fat percentage and visceral fat, central and brachial blood pressures, lipid profile, the inflammatory marker high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and insulin sensitivity were also recorded. Results: After nine months, a significant weight loss of 2.2 kg was observed associated with significant reductions in waist and hip circumference, aortic systolic blood pressure, serum fasting insulin, insulin resistance, and hsCRP levels. Insulin sensitivity was increased, while body fat and visceral fat percentages were marginally reduced (p = 0.058 and p = 0.059). No significant differences were seen in arterial stiffness, fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile. Conclusion: Education on modified lifestyle intervention improved insulin sensitivity and resistance, reduced hsCRP and aortic systolic blood pressure despite the small weight reduction achieved.

Effectiveness of a Group Support Lifestyle Modification (GSLiM) Programme among Obese Adults in Workplace: A Randomised Controlled Trial

“…Our participants were within the younger age group and their clinical indicators were of normal range, therefor further improvement would be less likely. The focus of intervention would also influence the result as other studies targeting clinical indicators with health education in dietary approach managed to result in cardiovascular risks improvement [ 57 , 58 ]. Therefore, weight loss may not necessary resulting improvement of cardiovascular risks factors.…”

Metabolic and Inflammatory Changes with Orlistat and Sibutramine Treatment in Obese Malaysian Subjects

“…A few lifestyle modification studies without pharmaceutical interventional had also shown that improvement in certain metabolic and inflammatory profile among overweight and obese subjects can occur with significant weight loss. For example, a study by Ariffin et al 40 had shown that nine months education on modified lifestyle intervention (by increasing physical activity and modifying diet) improved insulin sensitivity and resistance, reduced hs-CRP. Esposito et al 39 reported that through low-energy diet and increased physical activity, there were reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, CRP, fasting insulin and increment in adiponectin.…”