Cardiometabolic health in relation to lifestyle and body weight changes 3–8 years earlier

The degree to which individuals change their lifestyle in response to interventions differs and this variation could affect cardiometabolic health. We examined if changes in dietary intake, physical activity and weight of obese infertile women during the first six months of the LIFEstyle trial were associated with cardiometabolic health 3–8 years later (N = 50–78). Lifestyle was assessed using questionnaires and weight was measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months after randomization. BMI, blood pressure, body composition, pulse wave velocity, glycemic parameters and lipid profile were assessed 3–8 years after randomization. Decreases in savory and sweet snack intake were associated with lower HOMA-IR 3–8 years later, but these associations disappeared after adjustment for current lifestyle. No other associations between changes in lifestyle or body weight during the first six months after randomization with cardiovascular health 3–8 years later were observed. In conclusion, reductions in snack intake were associated with reduced insulin resistance 3–8 years later, but adjustment for current lifestyle reduced these associations. This indicates that changing lifestyle is an important first step, but maintaining this change is needed for improving cardiometabolic health in the long-term.