SEX DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSES TO A 12-WEEK HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING MAJOR NON-COMMUNICABLE CHRONIC DISEASES (NCDS)

摘要

Background: Poor diet and physical activity have negative impacts on health. Epidemiological data suggests that the impact of poor health behaviours on chronic disease development is sex- specific. However, there are limited data on sex-specific responses to behaviour change interventions. Objective: This study assessed sex-differences in the reduction in risk profiles following a 12- week physical activity and dietary behaviour change intervention. Methods: 6 men and 36 women from Montreal participated (mean [SD]age = 51.4 [8.7], BMI=28.2 [4.9]) in the ACCELERATION program, a structured 12-week pan-Canadian behavioural change intervention. The program focuses on increasing physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake, and reducing smoking and alcohol consumption. Results: General Linear Model analysis found positive effects of the intervention on BMI (-0.43 Kg/m~2, F= 5.76, p=.021), physical activity (+52min Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity, F=14.80, p<.001) and depressive symptoms (-3.0 units of BDI, F=4.09, p=.050). There were sex differences in intervention responses for systolic blood pressure (SBP) (F=5.37, p=.026) and daily fruit+vegetable consumption (F=3.91, P=.055): women had greater reductions in SBP relative to men (18 [8] mmHg), whereas men had greater increases in daily fruit+vegetable consumption (1.70[0.90] servings/ day). Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that the ACCELERATION program had a positive impact on health behaviours, some of which were sex-specific. Further work is needed to explore if sex-specific tailoring of ACCELERATION would enhance its impact.