Abstract

MARK, S et al. A successful lifestyle intervention model replicated in diverse clinical settings. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2016, vol.106, n.8, pp.763-766. ISSN 2078-5135.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/samj.2016.v106i8.10136.

Lifestyle interventions (Lis) can treat metabolic syndrome and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus, but they remain underutilised in routine practice. In 2010, an LI model was created in a rural primary care practice and spread with few resources to four other rural practices. A retrospective chart review evaluated changes in health indicators in two practice environments by following 372 participants, mainly women (mean age 52 years). Participants had a mean body mass index of 37 kg/m² at baseline and lost an average of 12% of their initial body weight as a result of the intervention. Among participants at the first intervention site for whom cardiometabolic data were available, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 58% at baseline to 19% at follow-up. Taken as a whole, our experience suggests that Lis are feasible and deliver meaningful results in routine primary care practice.

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