Screening and lifestyle management for korean adults with multiple chronic health risks

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MetS), which is a cluster of risk factors for diabetes and chronic heart disease, has once reached 30% of adults in Korea. As prevention and management of MetS emphasize lifestyle intervention, a 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention program was provided for middle-aged(in their 40s-50s) and older adults(age≥ 60) in with MetS(n=350) in Korea. The intervention consists of medical examination for MetS, health counseling, self-management handbook, newsletters, and health diary based on the transtheoretical model and social learning theory. After the intervention, the prevalence of MetS decreased in both middle-aged adults(38.46% for men and 54.12% for women) and older adults(63.41% for men and 59.77% for women). Men in both age groups improved blood pressure and abdominal obesity at p<0.05, respectively. On the other hand, middle-aged women improved the level of triglyceride(p=0.0055), and older women improved systolic blood pressure(p=0.0003), diastolic blood pressure(p<0.0001), triglyceride(p<0.0001), and HDL cholesterol(p=0.0104). Knowing their exact MetS component levels and being regularly measured for MetS facilitated lifestyle management of the participants. Although many of the participants had recognized the need for weight control even before the intervention, they became aware of their MetS status and risks with this program. In addition to 'knowing one's own MetS results', participants identified personal relationship building as another important facilitator for lifestyle management. Lifestyle intervention is promising for health improvement of those with MetS. Repeated measurement and providing MetS status information can assist MetS management. Personal contacts and affective care in the intervention also facilitated MetS management.