This study assessed the impact of a community-centered program focusing on nutrition and physical activity on physical activity levels, dietary habits, blood glucose, and various metabolic markers in pre-diabetic adults aged 50-65 years after six months. Participants, all pre-diabetic and with at least two components of metabolic syndrome, were recruited from Hanam province, Vietnam, and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 49). The intervention group participated in a comprehensive health promotion program, while the control group participated in a standard counseling session over the same period. The findings showed significant improvements in the intervention group for physical activity measures, such as increased walking time, moderate activity, overall physical activity, and decreased average sitting time. Post-intervention comparisons showed significant differences between the intervention and control groups in total physical activity, walking time, and sitting duration. Analysis of dietary behavior showed a significant reduction in the frequency of salt consumption in both groups, while the intervention group also showed a significant reduction in the frequency of cooking oil use. After six months, fasting glucose levels decreased in the intervention group but increased in the control group. In addition, the intervention group showed a significant increase in HDL-C levels and diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group. Weight loss was also significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group. Overall, this program demonstrated success in improving physical activity, dietary behaviors, fasting glucose levels, and cardiovascular risk factors among pre-diabetic adults in Vietnam.
