Diabetes Prevention Program remains effective despite changes

Modifications to the Diabetes Prevention Program made no significant difference in achieving weight loss, according to new research from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University.

Researchers conducted a systematic literature review to assess 28 interventions in which the DPP had been modified for use in different populations and to reduce cost. Changes included cultural adaptations (including language and recipes), setting of program delivery, class format, and staffing.

They found no statistically significant differences in the achievement of weight loss or BMI by any type of modification. A maintenance component did appear to significantly reduce risk for type 2 diabetes.

“The DPP appears to be programmatically robust to a variety of cultural adaptation and translational strategies,” wrote the study’s lead author, Dr. Hind H. Neamah of the Brown School. “Potentially cost-saving modifications do not seem to reduce effectiveness, which should encourage implementation on a broader scale.”

Co-authors were Dr. Anne K. Sebert Kuhlmann, Assistant Professor at the Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice; and Dr. Rachel Tabak, Research Assistant Professor at the Brown School.

The paper was published online February 15 in The Diabetes Educator.

Read More: http://tde.sagepub.com/content/42/2/153.abstract