(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Research has shown lifestyle changes are effective at reducing type 2 diabetes risk. But many of the studies on lifestyle changes may not be realistic because of the large number of counseling sessions and the long time periods. Now, a new study reveals a more “real world” attempt at lifestyle changes can be effective for those with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes.

There are five main goals when it comes to intervention for type 2 diabetes. They are:
1. Less than 30 percent of total energy intake from fat
2. Less than 10 percent of total energy intake from saturated fat
3. At least 15 grams of fiber/1,000 kilocalories
4. At least four hours per week of moderate level physical activity
5. More than 4 percent weight reduction
 

For the current study, 352 individuals with elevated type 2 diabetes risk were recruited to participate. The intervention included six group counseling sessions conducted by trained public health nurses. Risk factors were measured at the beginning and throughout the 12-month study. Then, researchers compared the outcomes of this study to the outcomes of longer, more intense studies.

Study authors report after one year, 20 percent of the participants achieved at least four of the five key lifestyle outcomes. This was a comparable result to the other, longer trials. Researchers say only physical activity and weight loss goals were achieved less frequently in the shorter trial.

Researchers say this study demonstrates lifestyle counseling can be effective and is feasible in real-world settings for those with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes.
 

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2007;30:2465-2470