Family-based approach to lifestyle interventions can reduce weight and cardiovascular risks
Background and goal: The PROgramme of Lifestyle Intervention in Families for Cardiovascular risk reduction (PROLIFIC) Study, conducted in India, aimed to assess whether a family-based approach to lifestyle interventions could improve weight management and obesity-related health outcomes among individuals with a family history of premature coronary heart disease.
Study approach: In this cluster randomized controlled trial, families were randomly assigned to a family-based intervention group or a usual care group. The intervention group received structured lifestyle counseling from nonphysician health workers, who provided regular home visits, goal-setting, and peer group sessions focused on diet, physical activity, and cardiovascular health. The usual care group received one-time counseling and annual cardiovascular risk screenings but no ongoing interventions.
Main results: 1,671 participants (1,111 women) from 750 families participated. After adjusting for family clustering and socio-economic factors, intervention participants experienced, on average, these improvements compared to the usual care group after two years:
-
2.61 kg greater reduction in weight (P < .001)
-
1.06 kg/m² greater reduction in BMI (P < .001)
-
4.17 cm greater reduction in waist circumference (P < .001)
Why it matters: The findings demonstrate that a family-based approach to lifestyle interventions can significantly improve weight management and cardiovascular health among high-risk individuals. These interventions could have a substantial public health impact in preventing future diabetes and other noncommunicable disease conditions.
Panniyammakal, J., et al. (2025). Family-Based Interventions to Promote Weight Management in Adults: Results From a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in India. The Annals of Family Medicine. doi.org/10.1370/afm.230632.
