Shu-Hung Chang
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan City , Taiwan
Title: Effectiveness of community-based diet and exercise intervention program in middle-aged and elderly with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Biography
Biography: Shu-Hung Chang
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and cardiovascular disease. Increasing number of abdominal obesity clients, and unhealthy dietary habits, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been recognized as a serious health and financial burden. Dietary behaviors and exercise are the important factors to development and improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a lifestyle intervention on biochemical indicators and level of fatty liver index in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly. Methodology: This was a cluster randomized controlled study. The group A (n=45) received an exercise and diet intervention program. The group B (n=45) received an exercise intervention program. The control group (n=45) received a health education leaflet. The measurement time was baseline and six months from 2018 and 2019 in northern Taiwan. We used ANOVA to analyze these data. Findings: After 6 months, 64.4% participants in the group A, 33.3% participants in the group B, and 28.9% in the control group achieved the suggestion of healthy dietary behaviors. 71.1% participants in the A group, 68.9% participants in the B group, and 53.3% participants in the control group achieved the suggestion of 200 minutes of physical activities. There were significant differences that the improvement of fatty liver index (5.00 vs 1.77 vs -5.3), waist circumference (3.82cm vs 2.57 cm vs 0.93cm) and triglyceride (22.07mg/dl vs 10.04mg/dl vs -38.82mg/dl) in the group A, B, and the control group. The improvements in the group A and B were better than the control group. Conclusion & Significance: The community-based intervention program improved biochemical indicators and level of fatty liver index in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly. Recommendations are made for community-dwelling adults to perform exercise and diet to improve the status of fatty liver