Journal Article Summary
The incidence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise. However, there is increasing evidence and discussion, that diet and lifestyle interventions can effectively reverse this trend. This 6 month, observational study of 73 individuals aged between 30-70 years, aimed to assess the impact of a nutrition and lifestyle group based intervention on blood glucose control and diabetic medication use. The intervention consisted of 4 one or two day workshops to introduce dietary and lifestyle measures and regular communication between workshops via closed group social media forums. At the end of the 6 month intervention, HbA1C levels had fallen by on average 5mmol/mol and the amount of diabetic medication use had dropped by 13%. Fasting blood glucose levels, BMI, body weight and waist circumference had also all dropped. The authors conclude that a group programme focusing on diet and lifestyle can effectively improve blood glucose control and lower medication use and call for larger trials.
