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The aim of this study was to examine whether additional repeated counselling further improves the health effects of limited, highly individualized lifestyle guidance in metabolic syndrome. One hundred and nine previously untreated metabolic syndrome patients received highly standardized and individualized lifestyle guidance for weight loss. A tentative goal of 5% weight reduction over the course of 2 months was set. Patients were then randomly assigned to either the multiple guidance group who received further counselling every 2 months (n = 52) or the single guidance group who received no further guidance until the final assessment 6 months later (n = 57). Baseline data between the multiple guidance and single guidance groups were similar. Body weight and waist circumference were significantly reduced, and liver function, lipid profiles and glucose metabolism were significantly improved in both groups. After adjustment for baseline data, the multiple guidance group showed considerably higher reduction in waist circumference and fasting blood sugar concentration than the single guidance group. These data suggest that additional counselling further improved the antidiabetic effects of limited individualized lifestyle guidance in metabolic syndrome.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is now a very serious health problem in Japan and a public preventive strategy is essential to reduce morbidity. A systematic interventional strategy for the metabolic syndrome remains to be established. In order to address this issue, a multi-center study; Japanese Study to Organize Proper lifestyle modification for the metabolic syndrome (J-STOP-MetS), has been established by nine preventive medical centers among Rosai hospital groups. This study comprises a cross-sectional study (J-STOP-MetS 1) and a prospective randomized control study (J-STOP-MetS 2). J-STOP-MetS 1 examines the causes of the metabolic syndrome by means of a questionnaire in a large cohort of patients with the metabolic syndrome and control subjects matched for age and sex. J-STOP-MetS 2 examines the hypothesis that guidance on lifestyle modifications will help at risk patients to reduce abdominal fat and cardiovascular risk factors. The metabolic syndrome patients are randomly assigned either to a single visit to a guidance group or multiple visits every two months. The individualized guidance is provided by the coordination of physician, trained nurse, dietician and exercise trainer. Several parameters are measured before and six months after the first guidance session, including, body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, several blood markers and arterial stiffness. The J-STOP-MetS is the first large-scale clinical study of the metabolic syndrome in Japan and should provide important evidence for the practical management of the metabolic syndrome.