Impact of a Nutrition Education and Counseling Program on Diet, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight and Obesity: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Authors

Eram Albajri, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFollow
Elham Aljaaly, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia AND Medical Nutrition Therapy Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abeer Aljahdali, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia AND Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Manal Naseeb, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Mai Khatib, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia AND Food, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Nahlaa Khalifa, Respiratory Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Nagat E. Eltoum, Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Aisha Y. Hussein, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a global health issue attributed to changes in dietary habits and inadequate physical activity.Objective: This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition counseling and education program on dietary habits, physical activity, and biomarkers among adults.Methods: This non-randomized controlled trial was conducted over 30 days in a primary care setting. Participants were grouped according to whether they chose to join the intervention program (n = 40) or maintain their regular diet (n = 20). The intervention group received personalized meal plans, recipes, and physical activity recommendations in line with the Saudi guidelines for obesity prevention and intervention. Self-reported questionnaires assessed diet, nutrition, and physical activity pre- and post-intervention. The blood glucose and total cholesterol levels were collected. Adherence was monitored with regular appointments.Results: There was a significant increase in the number of participants who followed healthy dietary habits (p < 0.05), and a substantial increase in the number of active participants in the level of physical activity post-nutrition counseling in the intervention group compared to the baseline visit (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected among the control group.Conclusion: The 30-day evidence-based intervention program improved participants’ nutrition knowledge, food habits, and physical activity. A more extended program may be needed to enhance obesity-related cardiometabolic parameters significantly.

First Page

202

Last Page

211

Recommended Citation

Albajri, Eram; Aljaaly, Elham; Aljahdali, Abeer; Naseeb, Manal; Khatib, Mai; Khalifa, Nahlaa; Eltoum, Nagat E.; and Hussein, Aisha Y. (2025) "Impact of a Nutrition Education and Counseling Program on Diet, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight and Obesity: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences: Vol. 32: Iss. 2, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4279.1022

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.