Eight-week of low-intensive lifestyle modification does improve insulin resistance in adults with metabolic syndrome

Yi-Hsin Lin,1 Hsuan Huang21Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanPurpose: Improvements in insulin resistance have been observed by following lifestyle modification (LM) for adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, these improvements are associated with relatively intensive and long-term duration LM, which is unlikely to be a part of routine practice for most people. This study examined the impact of a short-term (eight-week) low-intensive LM program on anthropomorphic parameters and insulin resistance in a community-based population.Patients and methods: A total of 174 adults (67 with MetS) were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. The effects of the eight-week LM program on anthropomorphic parameters and glucose homeostasis were investigated.Results: After the LM program, most anthropomorphic parameters in both groups were significantly improved (P<0.05). Glucose homeostasis significantly was improved (P<0.001) in the MetS group. A change in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was positively associated with the baseline HOMA-IR level (R=0.75,  P<0.001).Conclusion: A low-intensive eight-week LM program is an effective and efficient way to improve the anthropomorphic parameters and to reduce insulin resistance, especially for adults with MetS.Keywords: lifestyle modification, insulin resistance, glucose homeostasis, metabolic syndrom