Appreciation of the personalized BETER lifestyle intervention for overweight: a case series design

Abstract Background: Obesity is an epidemic affecting many citizens worldwide. Behavior change through lifestyle interventions can be effective, but success rates vary. Personalized interventions based on a systems biology approach might represent the individual variety of characteristics and underlying pathways in this target population better. Five subtypes of overweight were used for a personalized lifestyle program called BETER. This pilot study aimed to assess the degree of appreciation for the BETER program and to observe changes in vitality, lifestyle and body mass index (BMI). Methods: A case series design was applied. In a sample of people with overweight an evaluation of the appreciation of the program and a comparison of vitality, lifestyle, and BMI were performed. Data collection through questionnaires and clinical measurements were performed at baseline, after three and six months. The data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Seventy-nine adults (31 males, range average BMI: 28.4-31.3, range age: 19-65 years) reported promising results: a high degree of appreciation (8 out of 10), low dropout rates (9%), short term self-reported positive changes in lifestyle behaviors (adoption of lifestyle recommendations: physical activity: range 50-100%; nutrition: range 50-90%), increased perceived vitality (range participants ‘positive’ 67-81%) and a positive trend was seen in BMI reduction. Decline in adherence at follow-up was observed. Conclusion: The BETER lifestyle program was greatly appreciated and contributed to self-reported positive lifestyle changes and weight loss. Further research is needed to investigate whether the use of subtypes from a systems biology approach can provide key elements to increase the success rate of lifestyle interventions for obesity and chronic diseases, also on the long term.