Effects of Lifestyle Intervention towards Obesity and Blood Pressure among Housewives in Klang Valley: A Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: The obesity rate in Malaysia is the highest in Asia. Half its population is obese or overweight. The present study aims to determine the effects of lifestyle intervention on weight loss and blood pressure among Malaysian overweight and obese housewives in Klang Valley. METHODS: = 159). The intervention group received a lifestyle intervention consisting of a diet, physical activity and self-monitoring behavior package. The control group (delayed intervention group) received a women's health seminar package. Both groups were followed up for six months. Weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were evaluated both pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: < 0.05). Both group had non-significant DBP reduction. Multivariate analysis via General Linear Model Repeated Measures observed no significant differences in terms of parameter changes with time in both groups for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the lifestyle interventions in this study resulted in modest weight loss and thus decreased BMI and blood pressure (SBP) within six months of intervention.