New type 2 diabetes prevention programme developed

Tue, 30 Nov 2010
A new prevention programme that can help prevent or at least delay the onset of type 2 diabetes has been launched in the US. The National Diabetes Prevention Programme, which was based on research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Health, and developed in conjunction with the Y (formerly YMCA ), involves losing 7 per cent of body weight, undertaking some exercise, and making other lifestyle changes.

It was shown that people with pre-diabetes would have a 58 per cent chance of preventing or delaying diabetes if they took part in 16 one-hour sessions with monthly follow-ups for a further year. As well as diet and exercise, the programme also addresses some behavioural issues, such as barriers and problem solving.

With one in 10 of all adults in the US now suffering for diabetes, and there are concerns that the prevalence of both diabetes and obesity is becoming epidemic .

Classes are available at 28 cities across the US, with the cost of running the programme being helped by United Healthcare and the Y in some places. Ann Albright, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation, commented "A web is building across the country. This is a monumental amassing of partners."

Richard Bergenstal, president for medicine and science at the American Diabetes Association, also said "It's a great approach, a model we should be taking more often in medicine."

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