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Efficacy of a Short-Term Lifestyle Change Intervention in Healthy Young Men: The FASt Randomized Controlled Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Donato

    (Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Unit of Urology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Elisabetta Ceretti

    (Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Unit of Urology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Gaia Claudia Viviana Viola

    (Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Unit of Urology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Monica Marullo

    (Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Unit of Urology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Danilo Zani

    (Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Unit of Urology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Stefania Ubaldi

    (European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO), 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
    Swiss Society of Lifestyle Medicine (SSLM), 1204 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Sabina Sieri

    (Epidemiology and Prevention Unit, National Institute for Cancer, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Stefano Lorenzetti

    (Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Luigi Montano

    (Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (EcoFoodFertility Project), Oliveto Citra Hospital, 84124 Salerno, Italy
    PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of dietary habits and physical activity intervention on lifestyle behavior as a prevention tool supported also by personalized motivational counseling. A two-arm randomized controlled trial was carried out. A sample of 18–22-year-old students was randomly assigned to a four-month intervention based on the Mediterranean diet and moderate physical activity program (N = 66) or to a control group (N = 63). The outcomes were adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity level, and nutrients intake, assessed at enrollment (t0), end of intervention (t4, 4 months after the start), and end of follow-up (t8, 8 months after the start). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased from t0 to t4 and t8, more in the intervention (6.83, 9.85, and 9.12, respectively) than in the control group (6.73, 7.00, 7.69, respectively) ( p < 0.001). Physical activity showed a moderate increase from t0 to t4 and t8 in both groups, without significant differences between them. Significant differences were seen between the two groups in food intake changes, from t0 to t4 and t8. This randomized controlled trial showed that a moderate short-term intervention based on the Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity determined a positive change in the lifestyle of healthy, normal-weight, young men.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Donato & Elisabetta Ceretti & Gaia Claudia Viviana Viola & Monica Marullo & Danilo Zani & Stefania Ubaldi & Sabina Sieri & Stefano Lorenzetti & Luigi Montano, 2023. "Efficacy of a Short-Term Lifestyle Change Intervention in Healthy Young Men: The FASt Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5812-:d:1146225
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