Short-term Effects of Eating Behavior Modification on Metabolic Syndrome-Related Risks in Overweight and Obese Korean Adults

Abstract

Background: We investigated whether eating behavior modification improves metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related risks in overweight/obese Korean adults, and identified dietary factors that improve metabolic status. Methods: Among 159 volunteers, 71 with a body mass index ≥23 kg/m² and without other chronic diseases participated in the 8-week intervention, among which 54 participants who completed the intervention were included in the analyses. At baseline, patients were categorized either metabolically healthy obese (MHO; <3 MetS risk factors, n=42) or metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO; ≥3 MetS risk factors, n=12), and then educated regarding how to choose healthy foods and meals. Results: Lipid profiles and anthropometric and glycemic parameters were significantly improved among all participants after the intervention. Changes in waist circumference (P= 0.025), and glycemic parameters (glucose, P=0.046, insulin, P=0.005, C-peptide, P=0.041) were positively correlated with changes in calorie intake from snacks. Changes in visceral fat area were negatively correlated with changes in total calorie intake (P=0.046), and positively correlated with those in calorie intake from dietary fats (P=0.039). In addition, changes in insulin (P=0.013) and C-peptide (P=0.008) concentrations were negatively correlated with changes in dietary fiber intake at dinner. After the intervention, 83.3% of initially MUHO participants became MHO and 16.7% of MHO participants became MUHO. Conclusion: Eating behavior modification may be an important strategy to improve metabolic factors in overweight/obese people.

Keywords

• eating
• behavior
• overweight
• obesity
• metabolic syndrome