Intervention effects of health management program based on WeChat platform for high-risk obese diabetic population

Abstract

Objective To determine the effects of a health management program based on WeChat platform of overweight and obese diabetic high-risk population and to provide the basis for developing a scientific and effective weight loss program. Methods A total of 123 overweight and obese diabetic cases were identified during health examinations and were randomly divided into intervention (n= 62) and control (n= 61) groups. In the control group, traditional health lectures once a week for 3 months were conducted. In the intervention group, based on the control group using a micro-classroom setting to give diet and exercise interventions, diabetes information and intervention programs were uploaded to the WeChat learning platform, arranged at a fixed time with the patient online learning exchange, and with complete follow-up services. Low-energy intake therapy was used for diet intervention program, the daily calorie intake decreased by 15% to 40%; aerobic exercise combined with appropriate strength training were used as part of the exercise intervention program. Both groups were followed up for 1 year, measuring the dietary, exercise compliance, body mass index (BMI), body fat, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. Blood lipids, blood glucose, and weight loss were analyzed using an independent sample t-test and χ2 test. Results The difference in the educational participation rate between the intervention (81.0%, 583/720) and control (72.9%, (516/708) groups was statistically significant (χ2=13.18, P<0.05). The reasonable proportions of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and salt were 85.0%, 70.0%, 73.0%, and 75.0%, respectively, in the intervention group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (66.0%, 47.6%, 49.2%, and 52.5%, respectively), The difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.76, 6.24, 7.34, 6.50, all P<0.05). To compare the daily effective exercise time, the intervention group (22.8±2.1) min was significantly longer than the control group (16.2±1.8) min, with a statistically significant difference (t=18.33, P<0.01). The TC, TG, LDL-C, and FBG levels in the intervention group [(4.9±0.4) mmol/L, (1.5±0.2) mmol/L, (2.7±0.3) mmol/L, and (4.9±0.6) mmol/L, respectively] were significantly lower than those in the control group [(5.6±0.4) mmol/L, (2.1±0.2) mmol/L, (3.9±0.3) mmol/L, and (5.8±0.6) mmol/L, respectively]. The BMI in the intervention group (24.3±2.8) kg/m² was significantly lower than that in the control group (27.8±2.9) kg/m². Moreover, the mean level of body fat in the intervention group (19.6±1.9) kg was lower than that in the control group (22.6±2.1) kg, with a statistically significant difference (t=9.54, 15.93, 22.56, 8.54, 6.72, 8.22, all P<0.01). The effective rate of weight loss and fat loss was 65.0% and 60.0% in the intervention group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (35.6% and 32.2%, respectively), with a statistically significant difference (χ2=10.29, 9.25, all P<0.05). Conclusion The health management program based on a micro-letter platform can improve the participation in the intervention and reasonable diet and exercise compliance and effectively reduce the weight and blood lipid and glucose levels of overweight and obese diabetic patients. Key words: Diabetes; Overweight; Obesity; Health management; WeChat platform