Translating the diabetes prevention program into practice in the general community: findings from the Montana Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Prevention Program

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of translating the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention into practice in the general community.

Methods: In 2008, the Montana Diabetes Control Program, working collaboratively with 4 health care facilities, implemented an adapted group-based DPP lifestyle intervention. Adults at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease were recruited and enrolled (n = 355). Eighty-three percent (n = 295) of participants completed the 16-session program. Participants set targets to reduce fat intake and increase physical activity (>or=150 minutes per week) to achieve a weight loss goal of 7%.

Results: Seventy percent of participants achieved the physical activity goal of >or=150 minutes per week. There was a significant decrease among participants' weight from baseline (mean +/- SD, 99.3 +/- 19.7 kg) to week 16 (92.6 +/- 18.8 kg; mean difference, 6.7 +/- 4.0 kg, P < .001). Forty-five percent of the participants achieved the 7% weight loss goal, and 67% achieved at least 5% weight loss. Participants who were 60 years of age and older, had a diagnosis of hypertension, met their physical activity goal of >or=150 minutes per week, and those more frequently monitoring their fat intake were more likely to meet the 7% weight loss goal compared with participants without these characteristics.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that it is feasible to recruit and retain high-risk participants and achieve weight loss and physical goals in a group setting that are comparable with those achieved in the DPP.