The First Step First Bite Program: guidance to increase physical activity and daily intake of low-glycemic index foods

Abstract

Practical lifestyle interventions are needed to help people with type 2 diabetes increase their physical activity and follow nutrition therapy guidelines. This study examined whether combining instructions to walk more and to eat more low-glycemic index (GI) foods (First Step First Bite Program) improved hemoglobin A1c and anthropometric and cardiovascular health outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes vs the First Step Program (instruction only on walking). Subjects were randomly assigned to the First Step Program or First Step First Bite Program (n=22 in each group) and attended four weekly group meetings with minimal follow-up during weeks 5 to 16. All subjects monitored steps per day throughout the study; First Step First Bite Program subjects also monitored daily intake of low-GI foods. At week 16 (n=19 per group), both groups had increased steps per day by approximately 3,000 compared with baseline (P<0.01). In the First Step Program vs First Step First Bite Program groups, respectively, waist girth decreased by 5.9+/-0.9 cm vs 3.7+/-0.5 cm and hip decreased by 3.7+/-0.6 cm vs 2.2+/-0.5 cm (P<0.01 over time, both groups). There was no significant difference between groups at week 16 for anthropometric or metabolic variables measured, including hemoglobin A1c. Both the First Step First Bite Program and First Step Program resulted in increased physical activity; First Step First Bite Program also increased daily intake of low-GI foods. Both groups experienced similar significant reductions in waist and hip girth. Thus, adding a low-GI component to a walking program in people with type 2 diabetes in good glycemic control did not improve anthropometric or metabolic outcomes. A great number and/or longer duration of low-GI foods may be required to observe improved clinical outcomes.