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Success of VA’s MOVE demonstrates potential for large lifestyle change programs
CHICAGO — Data from the Managing Overweight and/or Obesity for Veterans Everywhere program demonstrate that lifestyle changes are attainable in a large health care setting, according to researchers here at the ADA Scientific Sessions.
“Intensive lifestyle change programs such as the Diabetes Prevention Program have been shown to reduce weight and prevent diabetes. In research studies, subjects volunteer to participate and may be highly motivated. In addition, research studies and community programs generally involve relatively small numbers. It’s been suggested that implementing lifestyle change programs within health care systems could be a powerful step forward for diabetes prevention. We know little about what can be achieved in health care settings, for participants are patients who are recommended to take action, not study volunteers,” Sandra L. Jackson, MPH, a PhD candidate in nutrition and health sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, said during a press conference here.
Over 400,000 people from about 130 centers have participated in the Managing Overweight and/or Obesity for Veterans Everywhere (MOVE) program since 2005.
Taking what they know about the NIH-funded Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), Jackson said they utilized the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure to analyze data for the 402,693 participants (88% men, 52% married and 67% white).
During the time of their first visit for the MOVE program, 37.5% of the patients (mean age 56.5 years) were already diagnosed with diabetes. Three-year follow-up data demonstrated that among 135,686 patients, BMI decreased from 36.8 kg/m2 to 35.8 kg/m2. Patients who were considered active participants (8.7%) displayed significant weight loss at 3 years (–2.7 vs. –1.1%, P<.001), according to Jackson.
“Her analyses indicate each additional pound lost at 6 months translates to about 1% less diabetes [incidence] at 3 years,” Lawrence S. Phillips, MD, professor of medicine in the division of endocrinology at Emory University and director of the Clinical Studies Center at Atlanta VA Medical Center, said during the press conference.
These data are comparable to the DPP, where researchers reported a 4% weight loss in 3 years.
Further research is warranted to examine the effects of veterans’ health and the VA health system, and how to encourage active participation in such a program, Jackson said. – by Samantha Costa
For more information:
Jackson S. #382-OR. Presented at: ADA Scientific Sessions; June 21-25, 2013; Chicago.
Disclosure: Phillips reports being on the advisory panel for Boehringer Ingelheim, an employee for Veterans Administration, and other relationships with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service. He also reports research support from Amylin, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck, Novo Nordisk, PhaseBio, Roche, and Sanofi.