Plain language summary
Key determinant factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Arab world, aside from the genetic predisposition are obesity, rapid urbanization, and lack of physical activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Diabetes Prevention Programme-based lifestyle modification program focused on overweight/obese Saudi adults with impaired fasting glucose. This study is a 12-month two-arm randomized controlled (1:1) lifestyle intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an intensive lifestyle modification program or general advice at the time of recruitment. Results showed that participants following the intensive lifestyle modification program had significant changes in body weight, body mass index and glycaemic indices post-intervention. Authors conclude that for Saudi adults with impaired fasting glucose, a self-monitoring-based lifestyle intervention may be a significant tool for weight loss and to reverse to normoglycemia [normal concentration of sugar in the blood].
Abstract
This 12-month, randomized, controlled lifestyle intervention study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention in terms of (1) the reduction of at least 5% of body weight compared to baseline and (2) the percentage of participants in which fasting blood glucose (FBG) normalizes (<5.6 mmol/L) post-intervention, in predominantly overweight/obese Saudi adults with impaired fasting glucose. A total of 300 Saudi adults with prediabetes at baseline (FBG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L) were enrolled to receive either general advice (GA) or a rigorous, self-monitored, lifestyle modification program (intervention group, IG) for 12 months, focused on food choices, physical activity, and weight loss. Anthropometric and biochemical estimations were analyzed at baseline, 6, and 12 months. At baseline, 136/150 in the GA group (90.7%) and 127/150 in the IG group (84.7%) were either overweight or obese. A total of 14% (n = 21) of the subjects in the IG arm discontinued, compared to 8% (n = 12) in the GA arm. Data from completers (92% (n = 138) and 86% (n= 129) participants in GA and IG arms, respectively) were considered for the final analysis. Post-intervention, 37.2% (n = 48) of participants in the IG group had ≥5% weight reduction, as compared to 12.3% (n = 17) in the GA group (p < 0.01). Similarly, the percentage of participants who normalized their FBG post-intervention was 46.5% (n = 60) in the IG group compared to 21.7% (n = 30) in the GA group (p < 0.01). A 12-month Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)-styled intensive lifestyle program translated effectively in decreasing weight and improving fasting glucose compared to the GA group in predominantly overweight/obese Saudi adults with prediabetes, suggesting that in the case of guided intervention programs, people are willing to participate and possibly change a sedentary lifestyle.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
3
Allocation concealment
:
Yes
