The prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

With a worldwide pandemic of type 2 diabetes upon us, it is imperative that effective and practical preventive strategies be developed for this disease which, once established, carries with it excess morbidity and mortality. This article reviews recently published data on the prevention of type 2 diabetes and compares the demonstrated effectiveness of each strategy, including lifestyle modification and several pharmacologic agents. Although much new information is available, many translational questions remain that chiefly concern the generalizability and applicability of these programs to clinical practice. Recent diabetes prevention guidelines are discussed, and a practical framework for their implementation is presented.