Effect of Lifestyle Modification on Plasma Lipids of Adults in a Part of North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Plasma lipids are precursors of adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones, bile acids as well as important component of animal cell wall. However, abnormal plasma lipids are major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases globally. Researchers are currently considering lifestyle modification such as exercise, as an approach to maintaining normal plasma lipids level as well as addressing abnormal ones. Methodology: This study investigated the effect of lifestyle modification (vigorous intensity aerobic exercise regimen) on plasma triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol of adults in Benue State University, Makurdi. The design of the study was guided by two research questions. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted two group pretest posttest quasi experimental design. The study population comprises twenty-one (21) Benue State University staff in the experimental group, and another twenty-one (21) for the control group. The proforma used for the data collection was validated by three experts, one from measurement and evaluation, one from the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education and one from College of Health Sciences; all in Benue State University, Makurdi. Data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25). A descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, and inferential statistics, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Paired Samples Test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results: The findings revealed that out of the 21 participants in the two groups, 12(57.14%) were males, while 9(42.86%) were females. The age range in the control group was between 28 to 65years, while that of the experimental group was between 36-68years. Vigorous intensity aerobic exercise regimen was found to have statistically significant effect on plasma low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P = 0.000<0.05). Even though plasma triglyceride was found to be reduced by vigorous intensity aerobic exercise regimen, the level of the reduction was found not to be statistically significant (P = 0.293 > 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that healthcare workers should henceforth incorporate vigorous intensity aerobic exercise regimen prescription in public health awareness on the maintenance of plasma level of triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, as well as clinical management of patients with abnormal plasma low density lipoprotein-cholesterol.