| Abstract: |
This article brings readers up to date on research that has been investigating the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The author reports some of the results from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a study of 3,234 people at risk for type 2 diabetes. The sponsor, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), called the study to a halt a year early, because the findings were so clear: exercise, eating right, and, for those who are overweight, losing about 15 pounds, can slash the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 71 percent in some people at high risk for the disease. All participants in the DPP were considered at high risk because of their impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a condition in which blood sugars (glucose) are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. In addition, all the participants were overweight. The DPP included three different prevention strategies or treatment arms, including lifestyle (nutrition and exercise), metformin (Glucophage), and troglitazone (Rezulin). The second and third groups received some information on diet and exercise, but much less than that provided to the first group. The author reports the specific results found in each group. The article includes a seven question quiz for readers and family members to take to estimate their own risk for developing diabetes; one height and weight chart helps readers determine their body mass index (BMI) and unhealthy levels of body weight. 1 table. |