Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
Evaluating a Diabetes Prevention Program
Diabetes Care; ePub 2017 May 12; Ely, et al
Widespread implementation of a lifestyle change program to prevent type 2 diabetes has shown promising results during its first 4 years, with greater duration and intensity of session attendance resulting in a higher percent of body weight loss overall and for subgroups, according to recent study. In evaluating the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP), data were analyzed from 14,747 adults enrolled in year-long type 2 diabetes prevention programs from February 2012 through January 2016. Data on attendance, weight, and physical activity minutes were summarized and predictors of weight loss examined. Researchers found:
- Participants attended a median of 14 sessions over an average of 172 days in the program.
- Overall, 35.5% achieved the 5% weight loss goal (average weight loss 4.2%; median 3.1%).
- Participants reported a weekly average of 152 minutes of physical activity, with 41.8% meeting the physical activity goal of 150 minutes per week.
- Participants lost 0.3% of body weight for every additional session attended and every 30 minutes of activity reported.
Ely EK, Gruss SM, Luman ET, et al. A national effort to prevent type 2 diabetes: Participant-level evaluation of CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. [Published online ahead of print May 12, 2017]. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc16-2099.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 86 million adults in the US have prediabetes.¹ The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) randomized controlled trial showed that for obese participants with prediabetes, a rigorous program of diet and exercise, with a goal of at least 7% weight loss and 150 minutes per week of exercise, could substantially decrease the rate of progression to diabetes compared to a group receiving usual care and a group receiving metformin.2 Based on these results, the CDC developed a national program using many of the protocols developed in DCCT to implement this lifestyle prevention program for individuals around the country. The program consists of 16 hourly sessions held at approximately weekly intervals during the first 6 months, followed by a minimum of 6 sessions held at approximately monthly intervals during months 7–12. This study shows that the program is effective when implemented broadly and that those who were most compliant with attending sessions and participating did the best. —Neil Skolnik, MD