Regardless of not participating in the program, these individuals had lost approximately practically four kilos, two years after their member of the family started the program
People dealing with a patient undergoing an intensive weight-loss treatment also gain from this therapy. This has actually been demonstrated by a team of researchers from the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM-Hospital del Mar) together with physicians from Hospital del Mar and the CIBER on the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), in collaboration with IDIAPJGol, the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), IDIBELL, IDIBAPS and the Sant Joan de Reus University Hospital. The study has actually been published in the journal International Journal of Obesity.
The research study evaluated information from 148 household members of clients consisted of in the weight loss and lifestyle program PREDIMED-Plus (PREVencióDIetaMEDiterranea Plus) over a two-year period. The scientists examined whether these individuals also indirectly took advantage of the program, as they were not enrolled in the research study and did not receive any direct treatment. PREDIMED-Plus is a multicentre research study in which a group of clients follow an extensive weight reduction program based on the Mediterranean diet plan and a plan promoting exercise.
Weight-loss regardless of not being consisted of in the program.
The family members (three out of 4 were the patients partner and the rest were children, parents, siblings or had some other degree of kinship), lost an average of 1.25 kg of weight throughout the first year of the program, compared to the relatives of the clients in the control group (those who did not follow the intensive treatment proposed by PREDIMED-Plus). This increased to nearly 4 kg in the 2nd year. These figures were better in cases where the relative consumed with the patient and, above all, when it was the client themselves who prepared.
The treatment, targeted at achieving weight loss in individuals with weight problems and high cardiovascular threat by following the Mediterranean diet plan, “Achieved results beyond just weight-loss in the patient, and this encompassed their family environment”, explains Dr. Albert Goday, the principal investigator on the job, head of section in the Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition at Hospital del Mar, researcher in the Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group at the IMIM-Hospital del Mar and a CIBERobn scientist. “The impact was contagious, in this context it was, fortunately, a beneficial contagion, leading to weight reduction and improved dietary habits.” Dr. Goday points out that “among the lots of possible dietary approaches to weight loss, the one based upon the Mediterranean diet plan is the most quickly shared within a family environment.”
According to Dr. Olga Castañer, the last author of the study and a researcher in the Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group at the IMIM-Hospital del Mar and CIBERobn, the excellent results can be described: “By an enhanced diet, given that the very same contagious result was not observed in regards to exercise amongst the patients and their loved ones.”
Relative also showed increased dedication to the Mediterranean diet, according to a questionnaire evaluating adherence to the dietary patterns of this program. The exact same was not true in terms of physical activity. As Dr. Castañer mentions, “In addition to weight loss, there was greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which has intrinsic health advantages, such as defense versus cardiovascular and neurodegenerative risks.”
The outcomes of the study “Demonstrate the contagion impact, the halo result, of a treatment program in the family members of participants associated with an extensive weight reduction procedure, as well as increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet”, stresses Dr. Albert Goday. “The helpful result of the program on one family member system can be extended to its other members, which is very considerable in terms of lowering the concern of obesity on the general public health system”, he explains. The relative not only slimmed down but likewise enhanced the quality of their diet.
Effect of the program on clients
The study likewise evaluated the outcomes of the PREDIMED-Plus program in 117 clients. Compared to participants in the control group, they lost 5.10 kg in the first year of intervention increasing to 6.79 kg in the 2nd year. They also significantly increased their exercise levels, as well as their adherence to the Mediterranean diet plan.
Recommendation: “Halo result of a Mediterranean-lifestyle weight-loss intervention on neglected family members weight and exercise: a potential research study” by M. D. Zomeño, C. Lassale, A. Perez-Vega, S. Perez-Fernández, J. Basora, N. Babió, R. Llimona, I. Paz-Graniel, J. Muñoz, J. Salas, X. Pintó, E. Sacanella, M. Fitó, I. Subirana, H. Schröder, A. Goday and O. Castaner, 3 March 2021, International Journal of Obesity.DOI: 10.1038/ s41366-021-00763-z.
The research study examined data from 148 household members of clients included in the weight loss and way of life program PREDIMED-Plus (PREVencióDIetaMEDiterranea Plus) over a two-year period. PREDIMED-Plus is a multicentre research study in which a group of patients follow an intensive weight decrease program based on the Mediterranean diet and a strategy promoting physical activity.
The relatives (3 out of four were the patients partner and the rest were kids, moms and dads, siblings or had some other degree of kinship), lost an average of 1.25 kg of weight throughout the first year of the program, compared to the family members of the patients in the control group (those who did not follow the intensive treatment proposed by PREDIMED-Plus). The outcomes of the study “Demonstrate the contagion impact, the halo impact, of a treatment program in the relatives of individuals included in an extensive weight loss treatment, as well as increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet plan”, stresses Dr. Albert Goday.
