Impact of Lifestyle on Reducing Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes among Arab Canadian Muslim Women: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate whether modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be reduced by an intensive healthy lifestyle intervention designed for Arab Muslim women of Middle Eastern descent (AWMD), who are at high risk for this disease. We hypothesized that among Canadian AWMD, the intervention would: a) reduce the identified health risk factors for T2D (BMI ≥30 kg/m2, fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥5.6 mmol/L and waist circumference (WC) ≥80 cm); b) improve anthropometric measurements; c) improve lifestyle factors (physical activity level (steps/day) and dietary habits); and d) improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce blood pressure. Methods After informed consent, 60 participants were randomized to either an Exercise and Nutrition Group (ENG; N = 30) or a Control Group (CON; N = 30). ENG attended a women-only supervised exercise program that presented Arabic music and traditional Lebanese Dabka three times/week in a Mosque gym for 12 weeks. A nutritionist was available one hour/week for nutrition education. The CON followed their typical day. Results ENG and CON had similar increased risk profiles for diabetes at baseline. Large significant pre/post treatment interaction effects were found for BMI, FBG, and WC with a reduced diabetes risk for ENG compared to CON for BMI (1,58) = 1184.8, p < 0.001), FBG (1,58) = 187.7, p < 0.001) and WC (1,58) = 326.4, p < 0.001). The ENG had significantly more participants reach post-intervention target values (BMI: χ2(1) = 16.48, p = 0.001; FBG: χ2(1) = 52.26, p < 0.001; WC: χ2(1) = 4.29, p = 0.038), compared to the CON. Adherence to the program was 100%. Conclusions Modifiable risk factors for T2D were reduced by using a culturally sensitive intervention program with high adherence through weight loss, regular exercise and nutrition education.