Structured hypocaloric diet is more effective than behavioral therapy in reducing metabolic syndrome in Mexican postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Menopause (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 711 - 720
• Main Authors: Perichart-Perera, Otilia, Balas-Nakash, Margie, Muñoz-Manrique, Cinthya, Legorreta-Legorreta, Jennifer, Rodríguez-Cano, Ameyalli, Mier-Cabrera, Jennifer, Aguilera-Pérez, Jesús Rafael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States by The North American Menopause Society 01-07-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Behavior Therapy - methods; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Combined Modality Therapy; Diet, Reducing - methods; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Life Style; Metabolic Syndrome - complications; Metabolic Syndrome - therapy; Mexico; Obesity - therapy; Postmenopause; Treatment Outcome; Women's Health
• ISSN: 1072-3714; 1530-0374
• DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000160

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to compare the effects of a lifestyle intervention using a behavioral therapy (BT) approach with the effects of a cardioprotective structured hypocaloric diet on metabolic syndrome in Mexican postmenopausal women.
METHODSThis study is a randomized clinical trial (2006-2009) of Mexican postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) who were recruited from the Postmenopause Clinic of the National Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City. Women were assigned to one of two groups—group 1 (structured hypocaloric diet; n = 63)energy restriction (−300 to −500 kcal/d) emphasizing cardioprotective dietary changes; and group 2 (BT; n = 55)goal setting, problem-solving, and stimulus control to achieve cardioprotective dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Metabolic syndrome prevalence, as well as weight, waist circumference, fat mass, and fasting biochemical markers (glucose and lipid profile), were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. Metabolic syndrome risk (relative risk and absolute risk reduction), mean differences between groups, and logistic regression were evaluated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 17.0.
RESULTSA total of 118 women were studied (mean [SD] age, 53.81 [6.43] y). No baseline differences were observed between groups. At the end of the study, a higher reduction in metabolic syndrome prevalence was observed in group 1 (−38.1%) compared with group 2 (−12.7%; relative risk, 0.237; 95% CI, 0.092-0.608; P = 0.003). The effect was maintained even when adjusted by age, hormone therapy and antihypertensive drug use.
CONCLUSIONSA cardioprotective structured hypocaloric diet is more effective than the BT approach in reducing metabolic syndrome after 6 months of intervention. Both strategies have positive effects on different individual cardiovascular risk factors.