IMPACT OF BALANCED NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS ON METABOLIC HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION AMONG ADULTS IN URBAN POPULATIONS

Abstract

Background: Urban populations are increasingly vulnerable to nutrition-related chronic diseases due to dietary transitions toward processed and calorie-dense foods. Balanced nutrition has been proposed as a cost-effective strategy to prevent metabolic disorders, but evidence from real-world urban settings remains limited.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of balanced dietary interventions in improving metabolic health and reducing the prevalence of nutrition-related chronic diseases among adults in South Punjab.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months, enrolling 300 urban adults aged 25–60 years. Participants were assessed using structured questionnaires, dietary recall, and food frequency tools to measure adherence to balanced nutrition. Anthropometric indicators, blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profiles were recorded. Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, and Pearson’s correlation, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 42.6 ± 8.7 years, with a mean BMI of 26.8 ± 3.9 kg/m². Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 48.9% in the low adherence group, 32.5% in the moderate group, and 18.7% in the high adherence group. Participants with high adherence demonstrated significantly lower BMI (24.9 ± 3.2 kg/m²), fasting glucose (98.4 ± 14.8 mg/dl), and triglycerides (139.2 ± 30.5 mg/dl) compared to low adherence groups (p < 0.01). A moderate inverse correlation was observed between dietary adherence and BMI (r = -0.41) and fasting glucose (r = -0.38).

Conclusion: Balanced dietary adherence was strongly associated with favorable metabolic outcomes and reduced risk of chronic diseases in urban adults. Promoting balanced nutrition represents an effective, practical, and sustainable strategy for disease prevention in urban populations.