Nonpharmacologic Therapy and Exercise in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

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 ∼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.