Lifestyle Intervention Can Prevent Diabetes Onset for at Least a Decade

In 2002, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) reported that, compared with placebo, intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin in 3200 overweight adults with impaired glucose metabolism lowered the incidence of diabetes during 3 years by 58% and 31%, respectively (JW Gen Med Feb 19 2002). To determine the long-term effects of these interventions, the researchers enrolled most patients who had completed the DPP into the 6-year unblinded DPP Outcomes Study (DPPOS). During a 1-year bridge period, all patients were offered a 16-session lifestyle curriculum, similar to that used in the DPP. All patients then received quarterly lifestyle-reinforcement sessions. Patients initially randomized to lifestyle intervention received eight additional …