Obesity is associated with altered glucose and lipid metabolism, and elevated blood pressure (BP) increasing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obesity-induced complications are increasingly encountered in the health care system and especially in primary care. Thus, there is a growing need for individually tailored weight management programs aiming to permanent lifestyle and dietary changes for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related health hazards.
The study investigated weight reduction during 1-year comprehensive lifestyle programme in 134 obese or overweight subjects (BMI\>30, or BMI\>25 with a comorbidity including diabetes, hypertension, arthrosis, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, sleep apnoea). The participants were recruited from the local diabetes centre and health care providers. The programme aimed at 5-10 % weight reduction utilizing exercise program supervised by personal trainer, advice on diet and on-location shopping behavior by a registered dietician, hands-on cooking classes by a professional chef, examinations by a medical doctor, and group discussions. The efficacy of the program was followed by measuring change in weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat and muscle percentage, visceral fat, and systolic and diastolic BP.
The study protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of the Pirkanmaa Hospital District (R12099).
