Effect of community-based lifestyle interventions on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese elderly in China: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

We aimed to assess the effect of community-based lifestyle interventions on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors among obese older adults, and to explore the potential factors that impede weight loss during lifestyle interventions. A 2-arm parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2013 through 2016 in the community health service centers in Nanjing, China. Four hundred and eighty obese older adults were randomly assigned to receive a 24-month lifestyle intervention (242 participants) or usual care (238 participants). The intervention group received a community-based behavioral lifestyle intervention program, which targeted weight loss through dietary changes and increased physical activity, with a combination mode of intervention delivery. Weight loss was statistically significant at the end of the intervention with a mean reduction of 0.03 ± 2.51 kg in the control group and 3.22 ± 3.43 kg in the intervention group (p < .001). In the intervention group, 41.1% of participants achieved the target of 5% weight loss significantly (p < .001). Participants in the intervention group had significantly greater improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression showed that female, living alone, and having more comorbidities were barriers to weight loss during the intervention. This study demonstrated that community-based lifestyle interventions are effective for managing weight and improving cardiometabolic risk factors in obese older adults.