Diabetes Prevention Program
A landmark study done in the United States clearly demonstrated how effective lifestyle changes are in the prevention of adult-onset or Type II diabetes. Researchers took a group of approximately 3200 people who were at high risk of developing diabetes. One third of the group was the control or placebo group with no intervention given. The second third of the group was put on glucophage, a diabetes drug that both prevents and treats diabetes. The third group was given a change in lifestyle. This group received guidance about exercise and nutrition. They attended individual or group education sessions about healthy eating and mildly decreased their caloric intake. They exercised about 30 minutes per day, and lost about 5 percent of their body weight (about 10 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds).
The results were quite striking in the drug group had a 30% decrease in the incidence of diabetes. The biggest surprise was that the lifestyle group had a decrease of 58% in the incidence of diabetes. A study done in Britain that had a similar protocol achieved the same results and percentages. This landmark study showed that very minor lifestyle changes can have dramatic results in reducing diabetes, which is incredibly positive information for those who have a family history of diabetes.
Is there a “Diabetic Diet?”
Does the “Diabetic Diet” really exist? For many years both dietitians and patients were taught a diet brought forth by the American Diabetes Association which contained very long lists of exchange groups and required knowing multiple food groups, servings sizes of foods, etc.
A study done called the Diabetes Complication and Control trial changed all the past thinking about “diabetic diets.” This study showed that each person is different in how much carbohydrate, protein, and fat they require and that one’s individual diet needs to be tailored to his or her lifestyle. The results of this study were quite powerful: when someone with diabetes follows an individual program to fit his or her lifestyle, resulting in improved blood sugars, there is a considerable drop in incidence of complications associated with diabetes, such as kidney, eye, and nerve disease.
Because of this study, the American Diabetes Association now recommends that people with diabetes can fit practically any food into their diet given some simple guidelines to follow. One way to control blood sugars involves counting the carbohydrates in one’s diet and balancing those with adequate protein and fat at each meal. A Registered Dietitian who specializes in diabetes can tailor your diet to control your blood sugars and assist in prevention of complications associated with diabetes.
Copyright 2010 Susan B. Dopart, M.S., R.D.
