In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published several statements regarding the prevention of diabetes through a major study called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The study concluded that it is possible to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in adults who are at risk for this disease through lifestyle changes in diet, exercise and weight loss.

Who is At Risk?

People ages 45 years or older* who have one or more of the following:

Being more than 20% above ideal body weight or having a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher;
Having an immediate family member -- mother, father, brother, or sister -- with diabetes;
Being African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic American, or Pacific Islander American;
Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (lbs.) or having diabetes during pregnancy;
Having blood pressure at or above 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Having abnormal blood lipid levels, such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol less than 35 mg/dL, or triglycerides greater than 250 mg/dL.
Having abnormal blood glucose levels:
Fasting plasma glucose > 126 mg/dL
Random plasma glucose > 200 mg/dL with symptoms of Type 2 diabetes

* If you are under 45 you should be tested for diabetes if you are at high risk.

Tips on Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Eat Healthy!

Choosing to eat healthier foods including 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day are important for good health, diabetes prevention and control. For more information, please link to the following pages:

Exercise!

Exercise helps improve physical health and helps relieve stress. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week (at least 3-5 days a week).

There are specific recommendations for people with diabetes who exercise. Ask your doctor what is right for you or your child. For more information on this topic click here: EXERCISE & DIABETES

Control your Weight!

The DPP national study showed that diet and exercise can effectively delay diabetes in a diverse American population of overweight people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). IGT is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic.

What were the major findings of the DPP?

This is the first major clinical trial of Americans at high risk for type 2 diabetes to show that lifestyle changes in diet and exercise and losing a little weight can prevent or delay the disease.
Participants who made lifestyle changes reduced their risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.
The lifestyle intervention was effective for participants of all ages and all ethnic groups.
Participants with standard care plus the drug metformin, reduced their risk for getting type 2 diabetes by 31 percent.

Another smaller study, the Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS), findings indicate that patients who lost 5% of their body weight lowered their diabetes risk by 61%; every 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) decrease in weight doubled their health benefits [New England Journal of Medicine 344: 1343-1349; 2001].

Controlling weight, eating more healthfully and having regular physical activity can help prevent Type 2 diabetes

For more information on preventing diabetes, link to these websites:

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

National Diabetes Education Program Prevention Campaign

Highlights

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