A WEIGHT-REDUCTION INTERVENTION THAT OPTIMIZES USE OF PRACTITIONERS TIME, LOWERS GLUCOSE LEVEL, AND RAISES HDL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL IN OLDER ADULTS

Objective The effects of a cognitive-behavioral weight control interve ntion were compared in two independent-living, older adult (mean age=7 0.5 years) communities. Design The research design compared the experi mental community (n=163), which received the intervention, with the co ntrol community (n=162). Subjects Overweight individuals (>4.5 kg of a ge-adjusted weight according to height-weight tables) were recruited f rom both communities. Intervention Components of the Dietary Intervent ion: Evaluation of Technology (DIET) program included a videotape, a w orkbook, computerized tracking of participants, a telephone hot line, educational group discussions, and individual consultation. Outcome me asures Changes in body weight, body mass index, and lipid and glucose measures were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventi on. Statistical analysis One-way analysis of variance by group was don e to compare changes in continuous variables between the intervention and control communities. Results Baseline body mass index and weight w ere 30.8 and 79.5 kg, respectively, in the experimental community and 28.8 and 75.8 kg, respectively, in the control community. Mean weight change in the experimental community was -3.2 kg after 40 weeks of int ervention, compared with no weight change in the control community (P< .0001). Mean plasma glucose level decreased -0.3 mmol/L and mean high- density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased 0.15 mmol/L in the exp erimental community, compared with no change in lipid parameter and a +0.3 mmol increase in glucose level in the control community (P<.0001) . Applications Our findings suggest that an intervention that optimize s use of the practitioner's time can achieve a moderate weight loss an d metabolic improvement in a community of older adults.