Impact of Lifestyle on Health Maintenance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT ID: NCT07314957

Last Updated: 2026-02-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

120 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-09-01

Study Completion Date

2027-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate the impact of public health interventions on changes in healthy lifestyle habits over time and their subsequent effects on health outcomes. The investigators hypothesize that exposing at-risk populations to structured physical activity programs, education on healthy nutrition, promotion of the Mediterranean diet, and workshops focused on strengthening psychological resilience will lead to improvements in anthropometric, oxidative, metabolic, and psychological parameters. Anthropometric and laboratory measures will be collected at multiple time points throughout the study. The longitudinal follow-up will span 12 months. It is anticipated that sustained adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors will result in positive lifestyle changes and enhanced health-related quality of life.

Detailed Description

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Contemporary lifestyle patterns are characterized by a fast pace of life, exposure to stressful stimuli, and unhealthy habits. Physically inactive adults who are exposed to stress, smoke, and have poor dietary habits are at increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, overweight, hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, impaired mental health, and lower health-related quality of life.

Studies confirm that lifestyle is one of the most influential modifiable factors in disease development. This study aims to evaluate whether a structured lifestyle intervention, including supervised physical exercise, adherence to a healthy diet, and stress-resilience training, can improve metabolic health, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance mental health and quality of life in adults with overweight, compared to a control group receiving standard lifestyle advice. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: supervised lifestyle group with exercise , Mediterranean diet education , stress-resilience and support; and control group receiving standard lifestyle recommendations. Participants in the experimental groups will engage in regular physical activity, follow a Mediterranean diet, participate in psychological resilience-building workshops and support groups, and attend weekly individual and group sessions, followed by a 12-month follow-up period.

The study will assess anthropometric measures (body weight, waist and hip circumference), metabolic parameters (blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, HOMA-IR), oxidative stress markers (AGEs), hormonal responses (cortisol, thyroid hormones), mental health, perceived stress, and quality of life. Participants will wear smart bracelets to monitor daily activity, steps, heart rate, and sleep. Measurements will be taken at baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention (3 month), and during follow-up at 6, and 12 months.

The investigators hypothesize that the structured lifestyle intervention combining physical activity, Mediterranean diet education, and stress-resilience training will lead to significant improvements in metabolic, oxidative, and psychological health outcomes compared to standard lifestyle advice.

The scientific findings gained from this study may significantly contribute to understanding the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in preventing chronic diseases associated with unhealthy lifestyles. The findings from this study are expected to provide insights into effective lifestyle interventions for at-risk populations, ultimately benefiting both individuals and communities. These interventions can improve the effectiveness of programs aimed at preventing the development of metabolic and chronic diseases, thereby enhancing overall health and quality of life. In addition, the results are anticipated to contribute to evidence-based public health policies and inform strategies for the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Conditions

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Metabolic Syndrome Inactivity/Low Levels of Exercise Unhealthy Diet Unhealthy Alcohol Use Smoking Behaviors Stress Sleep Disorder Obesity & Overweight Anxiety Depressed Mood Emotional Eating Behaviour

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This randomized, interventional study evaluates the effects of lifestyle interventions on metabolic, oxidative, and psychological health in adults with overweight or obesity. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: combined lifestyle group (physical activity, nutrition education, stress-resilience training), and control group receiving no interventions. The study uses open-label allocation with parallel groups to assess causality between lifestyle intervention and health outcomes. Randomization is performed using a computerized random generator. Participants' adherence is monitored via smart bracelets tracking heart rate, steps, and sleep. Outcomes, including metabolic parameters, oxidative stress, hormonal responses, anthropometric measures, stress, quality of life, are assessed at baseline and at 3, 6,12, months folow-up.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
No other parties besides participants are masked. Researchers, study staff, and outcome assessors are aware of group assignments due to the nature of the interventions. This open-label design allows proper supervision of physical activity, dietary education, and stress-resilience training.

Study Groups

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Control Group

Adults aged 20 years and older with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), stable body weight over the past 6 months and be physically inactive.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Lifestyle intervention group

Adults aged 20 years and older with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), stable body weight over the past 6 months and be physically inactive..

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Intervention of physical activity

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention combines supervised physical activity (2 times a week for 12 weeks) with the use of a smart bracelet to continuously monitor heart rate, steps and hours of sleep. The intervention aims to reduce sedentary behavior and improve metabolic, oxidative and psychological health in adults with overweight or obesity.

Mediterranean Diet Education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will take part in a 12 week nutritional intervention, followed by a 12 month follow-up period. The program includes 14 weekly group education sessions and one 30-minute individual consultation. Group sessions cover healthy eating principles, Mediterranean diet, intuitive eating, meal planning, hunger and satiety awareness, emotional triggers, mindful eating, real-life nutrition situations, motivation, and strategies for maintaining healthy habits. The individual consultation addresses personal challenges and tailors dietary guidance to the participant's lifestyle and health status. Dietary intake is monitored using structured 24-hour recalls at multiple time points throughout the intervention and follow-up periods.Participants will wear smart bracelets to monitor physical activity, heart rate, and sleep to track their daily routine and progress.

Behavioral: Stress-Resilience Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will take part in a 12-week program focused on strengthening psychological resilience and stress management. The program includes workshops and group support sessions to encourage experience sharing and motivation, with additional online and telephone support. Participants will wear smart bracelets to monitor physical activity, heart rate, and sleep to track their daily routine and progress.

Interventions

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Intervention of physical activity

The intervention combines supervised physical activity (2 times a week for 12 weeks) with the use of a smart bracelet to continuously monitor heart rate, steps and hours of sleep. The intervention aims to reduce sedentary behavior and improve metabolic, oxidative and psychological health in adults with overweight or obesity.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Mediterranean Diet Education

Participants will take part in a 12 week nutritional intervention, followed by a 12 month follow-up period. The program includes 14 weekly group education sessions and one 30-minute individual consultation. Group sessions cover healthy eating principles, Mediterranean diet, intuitive eating, meal planning, hunger and satiety awareness, emotional triggers, mindful eating, real-life nutrition situations, motivation, and strategies for maintaining healthy habits. The individual consultation addresses personal challenges and tailors dietary guidance to the participant's lifestyle and health status. Dietary intake is monitored using structured 24-hour recalls at multiple time points throughout the intervention and follow-up periods.Participants will wear smart bracelets to monitor physical activity, heart rate, and sleep to track their daily routine and progress.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Behavioral: Stress-Resilience Training

Participants will take part in a 12-week program focused on strengthening psychological resilience and stress management. The program includes workshops and group support sessions to encourage experience sharing and motivation, with additional online and telephone support. Participants will wear smart bracelets to monitor physical activity, heart rate, and sleep to track their daily routine and progress.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* adults aged 20 years and older
* overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²),
* stable body weight over the past 6 months
* physically inactive.

Exclusion Criteria

* HbA1c \>12%
* insulin therapy
* severe psychiatry and severe chronic illnesses of parents
* diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary and adrenal gland
* mobility restriction
* tetraplegia
* use of obesity pharmacotherapy
* malignant disease and chemotherapy
* pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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General Hospital Zadar

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

School of Public Health Andrija Štampar

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Psychiatric Hospital Ugljan

INDIV

Sponsor Role collaborator

Agricultural, Food and Veterinary School Stanko Ožanić

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Zadar

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Marija Ljubičić

Assistant Professor, PhD, Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Croatia

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of Zadar

Zadar, , Croatia

Site Status

Countries

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Croatia

Central Contacts

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Marija Ljubičić, Phd, Assistant professor

Role: CONTACT

+385981771804

Facility Contacts

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Marija Ljubičić

Role: primary

0981771804

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Other Identifiers

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EU Next Generation NPOO

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

IP UNIZD 2025-27040

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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