HealthyLIFE, a Combined Lifestyle Intervention for Overweight and Obese Adults: A Descriptive Case Series Study

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study is to investigate changes over time in participants of healthyLIFE, a Combined Lifestyle Intervention (CLI) based on the Coaching on Lifestyle (CooL) intervention. This study focuses on changes in behavior, physical fitness, motivation and Positive Health eight months after the start of the intervention. (2) Methods: In total, 602 Dutch adults, meeting the CLI inclusion criteria, were included from January 2018 until October 2020 in this descriptive case series study. We collected a broad set of data regarding weight/BMI, physical fitness, motivation, self-efficacy, social influence, personal barriers and needs towards food and physical activity and perceived personal health by means of the six dimensions of Positive Health. (3) Results: Eight months after baseline, positive effects of the intervention were found on most outcome measures. We found an increase in all measured aspects of physical fitness (stamina, flexibility, mobility, hand grip strength and BMI). Dietary changes were limited during the healthyLIFE intervention, except for fruit consumption (increase with an effect size of 0.42). The largest effect sizes were found for the dimensions of Positive Health ranging from 0.41 to 0.68. (4) Conclusion: The healthyLIFE intervention is successful in improving participants’ BMI, physical fitness, and perceived physical, mental and social health. A broad health perspective, beyond physical measurements, is recommended when studying effects of the CLI.