Table 1 Baseline and intervention characteristics of the study groups

35-49 years

> 50 years

35-49 years

> 50 years

Age (years)

44.7 ± 0.9 ^a

59.1 ± 1.7 ^a

44.5 ± 1.0 ^b

56.1 ± 1.2 ^b

Blood pressure (mmHg)

   Systolic

Baseline (0 month)

121 ± 2.8 ^c

137 ± 3.6 ^c

121 ± 3.5 ^d

131 ± 3.3 ^d

3 months

123 ± 2.4 ^f

137 ± 5.1 ^f

121 ± 3.4

131 ± 3.5

6 months

120 ± 2.5 ^g

135 ± 5.0 ^g

122 ± 3.6

132 ± 3.3

   Diastolic

Baseline (0 month)

75.4 ± 1.9 ^e

82.0 ± 2.7 ^e

80.6 ± 2.8

81.3 ± 2.6

3 months

73.7 ± 1.7

79.2 ± 2.9

79.2 ± 2.6

82.3 ± 2.6

6 months

75.7 ± 2.8

79.2 ± 3.3

79.0 ± 3.1

82.8 ± 1.9

Pulse (beat/minute)

   Baseline (0 month)

73 ± 2

73 ± 3

70 ± 3

70 ± 2

   3 months

70 ± 2

72 ± 2

71 ± 3

71 ± 2

   6 months

71 ± 2

71 ± 3

69 ± 3

72 ± 2

Body mass index (kg/m²)

   Baseline (0 month)

27.5 ± 1.2

26.3 ± 0.6

26.3 ± 0.7

27.7 ± 1.3

   3 months

27.5 ± 1.2

25.0 ± 1.0

25.6 ± 0.6

27.4 ± 1.2

   6 months

26.8 ± 1.2

25.2 ± 1.0

25.7 ± 0.7

27.1 ± 1.1

Fasting blood glucose (mmol/L)

   Baseline (0 month)

5.53 ± 0.33

5.34 ± 0.13

5.74 ± 0.30

5.49 ± 0.10

   3 months

5.40 ± 0.44

5.37 ± 0.10

5.59 ± 0.22

5.24 ± 0.15

   6 months

5.55 ± 0.49

5.28 ± 0.14

5.42 ± 0.19

5.47 ± 0.11