Effects of an intervention in eating habits and physical activity in Japanese-Brazilian women with a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil

Cad Saude Publica. 2008:24 Suppl 2:S294-302. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x2008001400014.

Abstract

We evaluated the impact of a lifestyle intervention on the cardiometabolic risk profile of women participating in the Study on Diabetes and Associated Diseases in the Japanese-Brazilian Population in Bauru. This was a non-controlled experimental study including clinical and laboratory values at baseline and after a 1-year intervention period. 401 Japanese-Brazilian women were examined (age 60.8+/-11.7 years), and 365 classified for metabolic syndrome (prevalence = 50.6%). Subjects with metabolic syndrome were older than those without (63.0+/-10.0 vs. 56.7+/-11.6 years, p < 0.01). After intervention, improvements in variables were found, except for C-reactive protein. Body mass index and waist circumference decreased, but adiposity reduction was more pronounced in the abdominal region (87.0+/-9.7 to 84.5+/-11.2cm, p < 0.001). Intervention-induced differences in total cholesterol, LDL, and post-challenge glucose were significant; women who lost more than 5% body weight showed a better profile than those who did not. The lifestyle intervention in Japanese-Brazilian women at high cardiometabolic risk improved anthropometric and laboratory parameters, but it is not known whether such benefits will persist and result in long-term reduction in cardiovascular events.

MeSH terms

  • Asian People
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Body Mass Index
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus / prevention & control
  • Diet
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Japan / ethnology
  • Life Style*
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • Waist Circumference

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Cholesterol