Lifestyle intervention using the psychoeducational approach is associated with greater cardiometabolic benefits and retention of individuals with worse health status.

Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of two lifestyle intervention programs for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevention - traditional or interdisciplinary psychoeducation-based intervention - in daily habits and cardiometabolic risk factors and investigate the role of the psychoeducational approach for the retention of individuals in the program. Subjects and methods Between 2008 and 2010, in a public health service, 183 pre-diabetic individuals were allocated to two 18-month interventions involving diet and physical activity. Physical activity, diet, quality of life (QOL) and depression and biochemical measurements were obtained. Linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the effect of the interventions. A student t test was used to compare dropouts versus non-dropouts. Results Improvements in energy intake and physical activity were greater in the interdisciplinary than the traditional intervention. A decrease in fat mass and blood pressure was more pronounced with interdisciplinary intervention. Dropouts from the traditional intervention only had higher BMI and lower fiber intake and QOL than non-dropouts. Conclusion The interdisciplinary psychoeducation-based intervention revealed useful for reducing cardiometabolic risk and retaining individuals with worse health profiles. This approach represents a feasible strategy for motivating high-risk individuals to adopt a long-term healthy lifestyle.