Lifestyle Intervention Prevents Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes continues to climb; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 29.1 million people (9.3 percent of the U.S. population) have diabetes and 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year. A recent systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of diet and physical activity promotion programs for individuals at increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Identifying those with prediabetes is key to implementing effective lifestyle interventions to decrease the disease progression. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Without intervention, prediabetes is likely to progress to type 2 diabetes. 

Evidence suggests that diet and physical activity promotion programs are effective in preventing the progression of diabetes in those with prediabetes. Results from sixteen studies showed that participants involved in diet and physical activity promotion programs were about 40 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who were not. Furthermore, these programs also proved to be effective for weight loss and improving risk factors such as low HDL (good cholesterol), high LDL (bad cholesterol), and elevated blood pressure and triglycerides. Individuals that participated in high-intensity programs (as determined by number of sessions and individual sessions with health professionals) benefited from greater weight loss and lower risk for developing diabetes.

Bottom Line: Programs that promote physical activity and proper nutrition can significantly lower risks for developing diabetes and promote heart health. The first step in lowering your risks for chronic disease is knowing your numbers. While it can be daunting to find out that you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, studies show that you can significantly reduce and even reverse your risk through modest weight loss and increased physical activity. 

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