Open Access

Christian Köder, Heike Englert

• Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and worldwide. The concentrations of serum total and LDL cholesterol as well as a higher intima media thickness of the common carotid artery (ccIMT) are associated with higher CVD risk. Measuring ccIMT makes it possible to already assess the atherosclerotic process at the subclinical stage. Methods: A two-year nonrandomized, controlled intervention study with 6 times of measurement (baseline; at 10 weeks; at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months). Participants of the intervention group (n = 112) took part in a ten-week intensive lifestyle program (including bi-weekly group sessions, workshops, and personal health coaching at baseline and at 10 weeks), followed by a less intensive phase (monthly lifestyle education group sessions). The control group (n = 87) did not take part in any program. In both groups, CVD-related parameters were assessed, including cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL), ccIMT (not assessed at 10 weeks), as well as health behavior (questionnaires). In between group means were compared with ANOVA using IBM SPSS 24. Results: After 10 weeks, the intervention group showed a reduction in total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol values compared to baseline (p < 0.01). In the control group, these parameters did not change. After 6 months, there was no statistically significant difference in ccIMT change between intervention and control. The 6-month blood results are not available yet. Conclusion: Our lifestyle program led to clinically relevant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol. Continued follow-up will show whether the improvement of cholesterol levels will be maintained in the intervention group and whether ccIMT will differ between intervention and control.