Een energiebalans programma voor pasgepensioneerden : impact op lichaamssamenstelling, lichamelijke activiteit en voeding = An energy balance intervention at retirement : impact on body composition, physical activity and diet

A.M. Werkman

Research output: Thesisinternal PhD, WU

Abstract

background Occupational retirement is a life event that is likely to induce lifestyle changes leading to a positive energy balance, and hence weight gain and accumulation of abdominal fat mass. aims The aims of this thesis are 1) to systematically develop an energy balance intervention to prevent the unfavourable effects of retirement and 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of this programme on waist circumference, body weight, body composition, physical activity, diet and related psychosocial determinants.  population and methods We invited participants from pre-retirement workshops. They were apparently healthy, aged 55-65 years, maximum six month before or after retirement and not undergoing interfering medical treatment. In total 415 recent retirees were included in the study of which 2 resigned before randomisation. Study participants were randomised according to the pre-retirement workshop they had attended (cluster randomisation) to avoid adoption of the intervention programme by the control group. The low-intensity intervention programme was offered to the intervention group (n=209) over the course of one-year. It consisted of a toolbox, two CD-ROMs providing computer tailored feedback on (1) energy balance and related behaviours and (2) four options for behavioural change: physical activity, portion size, fat consumption and fibre intake. The intervention group also had access to all pages of the study website with an interactive weight management programme (accessible for 6 months) and received newsletters. The control group (n=204) received newsletters and had access to a small part of the website. Effectiveness was evaluated after the one-year intervention period (0-12 months), one year after cessation of the intervention (12-24 months) and over the total two year period (0-24 months). results Contrary to our hypothesis this study indicated that waist circumference (wc (cm)) and body weight (bw (kg)) of the participant on average decreased after retirement. Although in men the changes were in favour of the intervention group (n=166; wc: -2.3±3.2; bw: -1.9±3.1), no significant differences with the control group (n=169; wc: -1.9±3.1; bw: -1.6±3.0) could be observed. Among women the decreases (n=20; wc: -2.5±6.0; bw: -2.4±3.8) were larger in the control group than in the intervention group (n=33; wc: -0.8±4.2; bw: -1.4±3.1), but the differences were not statistically significant. Physical activity (PASE) non-significantly increased among men and women of both groups and energy intake (MJ/day) only decreased significantly among the men. Again no significant differences between the intervention and control group were observed. conclusion We could not demonstrate our intervention programme to be effective in preventing accumulation of abdominal fat mass and weight gain among recent retirees.  Both intervention and control group on average showed improvements in body composition and energy balance behaviour(s).
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Wageningen University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Schouten, Evert, Promotor
  • Kok, Frans, Promotor
  • Schuit, A.J., Co-promotor, External person
Award date28 Nov 2007
Place of Publication[S.l.]
Print ISBNs9789085048473
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Nov 2007

Keywords

  • retirement
  • energy balance
  • nutritional intervention
  • body composition
  • physical activity
  • diet

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