The advent of reality TV can lead you to believe that
lifestyle changes can only come from intense, professionally led residential
programs, surrounded by television cameras and wacky team challenges. Happily,
new research shows that modest (and reasonable) lifestyle changes can be
accomplished without a starring role on a reality series. And the health impact
can be wonderful.
Without some sort of outside help, making lifestyle
changes is difficult. People diagnosed as pre-diabetic are particularly good subjects
for improved diet and exercise habits, all in an effort to avoid developing
full-blown type II diabetes. A small research study at the Stanford School of
Medicine and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute examined the
various approaches to accomplishing these changes and their relative success
rates.
A key measure of someone’s success in making lifestyle
changes to avoid type II diabetes is a change in their body mass index, or BMI.
Although the BMI has its flaws, it can serve well as a measure of relative
change in someone’s diet and exercise. In this study, participants had an
average BMI of 32 at the start of the program. A BMI of 30 or more is
considered obese.
The participants in the research study were divided into
three groups. The control group received “normal” care, which in modern
medicine does not equate to much lifestyle support at all. It is rarely good to
be selected into the control group if you decide to participate in a research
study. Be forewarned!
The second group received group counseling sessions led
by a lifestyle coach. The third group received a series of instructional videos
on DVD. In both cases, the focus was on eating healthier foods and exercising
more. Participants learned techniques and strategies for making lifestyle
changes that endured, rather than reverting to old habits at the end of the
program.
At the end of the 15 month study, the participants had
their BMI measured again. The control group had an average BMI decrease of 0.9
over the research interval. The group receiving group instruction from a
lifestyle coach had a BMI decrease of 2.2 while the BMI decrease was 1.6 for
the DVD group. This equated to an average weight loss of nearly 14 pounds for
the coached group, 10 pounds for the video group and 5 pounds for the unsupported
group.
What does this mean for us? What if we don’t have access
to a lifestyle coach or a series of instructional DVDs from a medical school?
The researchers believe that any external support for lifestyle change can be
positive. If you are really ready to change your health, get a buddy and
support and encourage each other! This
research shows that together you can accomplish so much more than on your own. Get
to it!
No comments:
Post a Comment