Risk Factor Assessment and Intervention for Diabetes Prevention in Walailak University Personnel

Abstract

This study was to assess the effectiveness of the intervention for diabetes prevention in Walailak University Personnel by dietary control and exercise. Eighty two subjects were participated and were randomly divided into four groups using diabetes risk score (DRS) levels to either the intervention groups or none intervention groups. The four groups are 1) Low DRS + intervention (LRI), 2) Low DRS + none intervention (LRNI), 3) High DRS + intervention (HRI) and 4) High DRS + none intervention (HRNI). The intervention groups received dietary education and exercise aimed to reduce weight through 6 sessions in 24 weeks. Physical examinations, 3-day food records and food behavior dietary note were used as main discussion tools during follow-up visits. Calories intake, frequency and duration of exercise, diabetes risk score, weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were recorded and analysed. The intervention groups showed improvement in each intervention goal such as reduction of DRS, weight, waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose. After 24 weeks, low risk intervention and high risk intervention showed reduction of calories intakes from 1516.3 ± 27.4 and 1660.7 ± 30.2 Kcal to 1205.7 ± 10.2 and 1249.0±12.6 Kcal (20.5% and 24.8%) respectively. Increased frequency and duration of exercise led to a significant reduction in DRS and waist circumference when compared pre -and post-intervention in the HRI group (p<0.01). The intensive lifestyle intervention produced long-term beneficial  changes in dietary behaviors and physical activity which resulted in reduction of DRS, body composition, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose in both LRI and HRI groups while the values in LRNI and HRNI groups tended to increase. Based on these results, the intervention program for Walailak University Personnel seemed to be effective that could reduce diabetes risk.