The Community Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) recommends the use of combined diet and physical activity promotion programs to provide counsel and support to patients at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. A systematic review of 53 studies describing 66 programs found strong evidence that such programs are effective for reducing new onset diabetes. A separate review of economic evidence (28 studies) found these interventions to be cost-effective. The recommendation statement and evidence reviews are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Combined diet and physical activity promotion programs encourage persons who are at increased risk for diabetes to improve their diet and increase their physical activity. Guideline authors suggest that interventions include: trained providers in a clinical or community setting who work directly with patients for at least three months; some combination of counseling, coaching, or extended support; and multiple sessions related to diet and physical activity, delivered in person or by some other method.

Additional elements may also be included. The research shows that higher intensity programs lead to greater weight loss and greater reduction in new onset diabetes.

Link: http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M14-0960