Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Can Type 2 Diabetes be Prevented or Delayed?

The answer is yes.

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have prediabetes. Scientific evidence indicates the progression from prediabetes to diabetes can be prevented or delayed. In 2001, results from a landmark clinical trail, the U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), demonstrated that sustained lifestyle changes that included modest weight loss and physical activity reduced the incidence of diabetes by 58%. This finding was true across all participating ethnic groups and for both men and women. Lifestyle changes worked particularly well for participants aged 60 and older, reducing their risk by 71 percent.

There are no known methods to prevent type 1 diabetes. Several clinical trials are currently in progress.

For more information about the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Clinical Trial visit: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/docs/dpp.htm

For culturally diverse Diabetes Prevention education materials, visit the National Diabetes Education Program's web site: http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/prev/prevention.htm

 

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