A comparative approach to using the diabetes prevention program to reduce diabetes risk in a worksite setting

The rapidly increasing rate of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) among both market economy and developing countries is a worldwide health phenomenon. The number of diabetics worldwide has been projected to increase from 135 million in 1995 to 300 million in 2025. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative effectiveness of three different approaches to the implementation of the Diabetes Prevention Program, a standardized diabetes prevention curriculum, in various worksite organizations within a single community. The methods of implementation selected included an intensive one-on-one counseling approach, a support group meeting approach, and a passive transfer of information approach. The intervention was successful in creating significant mean improvements overall in the participants who completed the 26-week program as follows: (a) reduction in overall mean body weight and mean body mass index, (b) reduction in overall average mean arterial blood pressure, (c) reduction in overall mean diabetes risk score, and (d) increase in overall mean physical activity level. Although the largest proportion of these changes occurred in the one-on-one intervention group, significant changes in some factors were found in all groups. This illustrates the utility of an on-site and incentive-driven approach to diabetes risk factor modification in the workplace.