A Community-Based, Lifestyle Behavioral Intervention Based on the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior for Postmenopausal Women at Cardiometabolic Risk: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Postmenopausal women may be susceptible to unhealthy eating and physical activity behaviors and increased cardiometabolic risk. Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of a community-based lifestyle behavioral intervention in modifying eating and physical activity behaviors, their behavioral determinants, and cardiometabolic risk factors in community-dwelling postmenopausal women. Methods: A 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 46 postmenopausal women recruited from churches and universities in Seoul, South Korea. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 23) or control (n = 23) group. The intervention group underwent a 12-week behavioral intervention designed theoretically to modify behavioral determinants with individual- and group-based sessions using cognitive-behavioral strategies, while the control group received a single general counseling session. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after 12 weeks, and at the 24th week. These included measurements of eating and physical activity behaviors, their determinants (ie, attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, intention, and planning, based on the extended theory of planned behavior), waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting glucose. Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in eating behaviors (F = 5.08, P =.008), physical activity behaviors (F = 15.56, P <.001), and all behavioral determinants (P <.05 for all) over 24 weeks. The intervention group also experienced a significant reduction in waist circumference compared with the control group (F = 5.03, P =.009) over the same period. Conclusions: The community-based behavioral intervention may be effective in promoting behavioral outcomes and waist circumference among postmenopausal women. Trial Registration: Korea Clinical Trial Registry (KCT006349).