Role of Lifestyle Modification and Nutritional Counseling in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes A clinical study

• MUZNA KASHIF

  Author

• ARSLAN SHUJA

  Author

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a significant issue in health the world over, which is predominantly fueled by the lifestyle factors which are modifiable. Prevention or delaying of the disease has been demonstrated to be the effect of early intervention by people with prediabetes. The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of the structured lifestyle modification and nutritional counseling in preventing Type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Methodology: It was a prospective randomized controlled clinical study with 100 prediabetic adults who were aged 30-65 years. The subjects were randomly divided into an intervention (n = 50) and control (n = 50) group: the first group would receive individualized lifestyle change intervention and nutritional counseling with frequent follow-ups, whereas the second group would receive standard care. At baseline and at 12 months, clinical and biochemical parameter (anthropometric measurements, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c) were measured. Proper statistical tests were applied to analyze the data, and the level of p was set to 0.05.

Results: The intervention group presented a great improvement in BMI, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c at 12 months relative to the control group (p < 0.05). Only 6 participants (12 per cent) in the intervention group and 17 participants (34 per cent) in the control group progressed to Type 2 diabetes (p = 0.01). The individuals who were subjected to structured lifestyle counseling had improved dietary habits, physical activities, and reduced weight.

Conclusion: Lifestyle change (with structured lifestyle education) and nutrition education can be very effective in reducing the metabolic risk and avoiding Type 2 diabetes in prediabetics. Introduction of specific lifestyle changes as a part of standard clinical practice is an economically efficient way of diabetes prevention and should be a priority in community health practices.

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