Background And Aims: Motivational approaches may help target the psychological aspects of self-care, improving adherence to good practices in individuals with diabetes. The present study was designed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a psychoeducational program for diabetic foot prevention or disease progression.
Methods And Results: Eighty-one subjects with or at high risk of foot ulcer development entered a program consisting of six 120-min group sessions, conducted by a podiatrist and an expert in psycho-education.
Motivational interviewing (MI) is devised to change unhealthy behaviors by increasing motivation. We adapted MI to a group format for the treatment of relapse during the behavioral treatment of obesity and performed a clinical audit to evaluate its effectiveness in stopping weight regain. The program was structured in seven weekly sessions, plus a 6-month follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To determine the clinical effectiveness of intense psychological support to physical activity (PA) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), compared with cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT).
Methods: Twenty-two NAFLD cases received support to exercise, tailored to their motivational needs (PA group). The effects on body weight, physical fitness [6-min walk test, VO2max and the PA-rating (PA-R) questionnaire] and body fat (fatty liver indices and visceral adiposity index) were compared with data obtained in 44 NAFLD subjects enrolled in a CBT program for weight loss, after adjustment for propensity score, calculated on baseline data.
Psychol Res Behav Manag
October 2013
It is very unlikely that our obesity-promoting environment will change in the near future. It is therefore mandatory to improve our knowledge of the main factors associated with successful adoption of obesity-reducing behaviors. This may help design more powerful procedures and strategies to facilitate the adoption of healthy lifestyles in a "toxic" environment favoring the development of a positive energy balance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthy habits in terms of food intake and physical activity are first-line approach to prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but difficulties arise in turning attempts into practice. Independently of the specific role of individual nutrients, not universally proven, overweight, obesity and diabetes are the specific conditions most frequently associated with hepatic fat accumulation. Accordingly, weight loss is mandatory in the majority of patients; this can be achieved by dietary restriction, but is rarely maintained in the long-term.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackgrounds & Aims: Healthy diet and physical activity are the treatment cornerstones of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); their effectiveness is however limited by difficulties in implementing lifestyle changes. We aimed at determining the stage of change and associated psychological factors as a prerequisite to refine strategies to implement behavior changes.
Methods: We studied 138 consecutive NAFLD patients (73% male, age 19-73 years).
We aimed to test the effects of a psychological support program on the psychological distress, mood, and quality of life of well-educated individuals with type 1 diabetes. A newly developed support program was offered to 60 patients with type 1 diabetes on intensive insulin treatment, previously enrolled in group-care educational programs. Thirty-three subjects participated (experimental group, in groups of 8-12 subjects); 22, who postponed their entry, were used as controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysical activity plays a major role in the development and management of obesity. High levels of physical activity provide an advantage in maintaining energy balance at a healthy weight, but the amount of exercise needed to produce weight loss and weight loss maintenance may be difficult to achieve in obese subjects. Barriers to physical activity may hardly be overcome in individual cases, and group support may make the difference.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical/biochemical condition associated with the metabolic syndrome. As the disease stems from excess calorie intake and lack of physical activity, the correction of unhealthy lifestyles is the background of any prevention and treatment strategy; drugs should remain a second-line treatment. Several studies have shown that weight loss and physical activity, the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle, have a specific therapeutic role in NAFLD, preventing disease progression and reducing the burden of disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes Metab Syndr Obes
November 2010
Lifestyle modification based on behavior therapy is the most important and effective strategy to manage the metabolic syndrome. Modern lifestyle modification therapy combines specific recommendations on diet and exercise with behavioral and cognitive strategies. The intervention may be delivered face-to-face or in groups, or in groups combined with individual sessions.
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