"Improving Health and Reducing Chronic Disease Risk in Middle-Aged Adults Through Nutrition"

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by the presence of hyperglycemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia, is associated with the development of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or different types of cancer. The prevalence of MetS is increasing in the population. Most of the affected population is elderly adult population (> 50 years), although the incidence of MetS in young adults is growing at a worrying rate. The presence of MetS is associated with chronic medication and has a great impact on the quality of life of individuals, but it also has a huge socioeconomic impact on the population. Therefore, implementing strategies aimed at preventing MetS at an early age is of crucial importance for maintaining population health.

Adopting healthier lifestyle habits has been shown to be a protective measure against MetS. Pursuing these changes to become part of people's daily routines takes time and they always face various obstacles along the way. There are 4 phases before achieving this change: one of mind reflection, another of preparation, one of action and finally maintenance.

The present study attempts, with middle-aged adult patients with MetS, to influence these 4 phases and evaluate whether changes in eating habits, more specifically, adherence to a Mediterranean diet with energy restriction, and physical activity, promoted within the frame of Primary Care have an impact on the reversal and control of such pathology: on the one hand, whether the general well- being of the participants is improved and how positive the changes are in the metabolic, anthropometric, analytical and cardiovascular health parameters and, on the other hand, the effect that occurs on nutrient intake and the overall dietary pattern. Moreover, without neglecting the maintenance phase that seeks to identify facilitators and impediments for its long-term maintenance outside the spectrum of action of the study.

The study will be an open, controlled, randomized clinical trial with parallel groups, made up of adults between 30 and 50 years of age with MetS, with one group in intervention for 6 months and one control group with recommendations from nursing clinics for populations with chronic diseases and/or analytical disorders. In month 12, 6 months after the completion of the intervention for each patient in the study, an evaluation of adherence to the therapeutic plan will be carried out of the group independently.

Data collection during the trial will be of 3 types: sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary, clinical and analytical. Our hypothesis is that a change in diet and physical activity, promoted from the area of Primary Care in the young adult population with MetS, impacts the following aspects: encourage reflection on the need to change lifestyle habits; prepare the patient to make modifications aimed at improving their well-being; guide on the actions necessary to achieve the reversal and management of MetS and maintain life changes once the study is completed.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI 27-40 Kg/m2
• Metabolic syndrome according to International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity
• Stable weight in the last 3 months (weight changes < 4Kg)
• Be able to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Have a diagnosed illness that interferes with the recommendations proposed in the intervention.
• Women with established menopause.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Serious psychiatric illness/disorder.
• Social, cultural or psychological factors that may affect adherence to the intervention protocol.
• Inability to communicate with study staff.
• Inability to follow recommended diet or inability to engage in physical activity.
• Low likelihood of modifying dietary habits according to the different stages of change according to the Prochaska and DiClemente model.
• Difficulty attending scheduled appointments within the intervention due to work schedule conflicts, travel plans, scheduled surgeries, among other reasons.
• Therapeutic non-compliance.
• Participating in a professionally-led nutritional intervention.
• Being under medical treatment that affects weight, intake or energy expenditure in the 3 months preceding the start of the study.

Smokers who have changed their smoking habit in the 6 months preceding the start of the study (including starting or stopping smoking).

• Participation in another trial that may interfere with this proposed study.