A community-based weight loss programme on physical activity levels for overweight Chinese adults with pre-diabetes: A pilot study

Abstract

Aim The study aims to pilot test a culturally appropriate community-based diabetes prevention programme for overweight Chinese people with pre-diabetes. This paper reports the change in physical activity levels between baseline and 6th months. Method This is a 12-month pilot study which targeted weight loss of at least 5% over 6 months through restriction of caloric intake and increased physical activity (PA) (goal =150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, i.e. =600 MET-min/week in moderate PA). Participants attended 7 groupbased lifestyle intervention sessions, including two 1-hour workshops delivered by a physical trainer, during the first 6 months. Each participant also received a pedometer and be encouraged to keep active. Level of physical activity were assessed by using a Chinese version International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The MET-minutes scores were calculated and used to categorizes participants' level of activity into 'inactive' (less than 600 MET-min/week), 'minimally active' (at least 600 MET-min/week) and 'Health-enhancing Physical activity level' (HEPA) active (at least 3000 MET-min/week). Results 10 middle-aged adults (7 female, mean age 50.4±smn;SD7.5years) who were overweight/obese (mean BMI 27.0±smn;SD 3.2kg/m2) and pre-diabetic were recruited. At baseline, most of the participants were 'inactive' (ie. <600 MET-min/week). After 6 month lifestyle interventions, the group showed an increase in both total PA levels and time spent on moderate and vigorous PA. 30% of the participants achieved the goal =600 MET-min/week in moderate PA and 80% of participants reported increase in moderate-intensity-activity participation. Overall, there was a 15% increase in the MET-min score between baseline and 6 months. 67% of the participants lost at least 5% of their baseline weight (mean weight loss 2.7±smn;3.9kg). Conclusion The group-based lifestyle intervention pilot study conducted in community setting was able to motivate and prompt generally inactive pre-diabetes participants to increase their participation in both vigorousintensity-exercises and moderate-intensity exercises.