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Review
. 2009 Nov;32 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S189-93.
doi: 10.2337/dc09-S308.

Nonpharmacologic therapy and exercise in the prevention of type 2 diabetes

Jaakko Tuomilehto  1
Affiliations
Review

Nonpharmacologic therapy and exercise in the prevention of type 2 diabetes

Jaakko Tuomilehto. Diabetes Care. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To review the current knowledge about nonpharmacologic approaches in the prevention and early treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods: This study reviewed the research reports dealing with nonpharmacologic interventions aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes with early lifestyle interventions.

Results: The results from the randomized controlled trials all show that people with impaired glucose tolerance who received enhanced lifestyle advice had significantly lower (on average approximately 50% reduced) incidence of type 2 diabetes compared with those allocated to receive "usual care." Individuals who were able to correct their lifestyle habits as recommended for usual healthy life patterns were mostly protected against type 2 diabetes. Thus, compelling evidence exists that most of the cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least the onset of the disease can be significantly delayed.

Conclusions: Randomized controlled trials have unequivocally demonstrated that lifestyle management is highly efficient in the prevention and also in the early management of type 2 diabetes. This evidence of lifestyle modification in diabetes prevention is stronger than for most other multifactorial diseases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in clinical and metabolic characteristics among the intervention and control group participants of the DPS. 2h-P-gluc, 2-h plasma glucose; DIAST, diastolic blood pressure; F-P-gluc, fasting plasma glucose; S, serum; SYST, systolic blood pressure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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