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Community diabetes prevention efforts effective for at-risk seniors
SAN FRANCISCO — Lifestyle-focused programs in community settings helped older adults increase weight loss and physical activity while improving diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, according to research presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions.
M. Kaye Kramer, RN, MPH, DrPH, CCRC, of the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues observed 116 individuals from three senior community centers in economically diverse areas who enrolled in the Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) program, adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention.
“The DPP-GLB lifestyle intervention delivered in senior centers in communities of varying economic status was effective in improving weight, physical activity and diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors in older adults,” Kramer said in her presentation.
M. Kaye Kramer
DPP-GLB was delivered by trained health professionals, with participants electing either face-to-face (n=80) or DVD (n=36) as means of intervention. Face-to-face included weekly 1-hour sessions for 12 weeks, then transitioning to bi-weekly and monthly. DVD included viewing at home, with weekly telephonic lifestyle coach support and monthly group meetings with a lifestyle coach onsite. Participants (mean age=63 years, 66% female) completed assessments at baseline, 6 and 12 months.
At 6 months, significant improvements were observed in weight (–11.3 lbs, 5.5%, P<.001), physical activity (+6.9 Met-hrs/wk, P<.001), total cholesterol (–5.5 mg/dl, P=.006), triglycerides (–7.5 mg/dl, P=.01), glucose (–2.6 mg/dl, P=.0006), HbA1c (–0.14%, P<.001), systolic blood pressure (–2.5mm/Hg, P=0.02) and waist circumference (–1.8 in, P<.001).
At 12 months, improvements were seen in weight (–10.8 lbs, –5.3%, P<.001), physical activity (+5.5 Met-hrs/wk, P<.001), triglycerides (–14.1mg/dl, P<.05), glucose (–2.0 mg/dl, P<.05), HbA1c (–0.12%, P<.05), systolic blood pressure (–3.2mm/Hg, P<.05) and waist circumference.
Results at both endpoints were similar, regardless of socioeconomic status or delivery mode.
“These findings support the provision of coverage for lifestyle intervention prevention programs in older adults at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, particularly when considering the large number of people who will be Medicare eligible in the near future,” Kramer said. — by Allegra Tiver
For More Information: Kramer MK. Abstract 9-OR. Presented at: American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions; June 13-17, 2014; San Francisco.
Disclosures: Kramer reported no relevant disclosures. The research was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
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There is a growing number of people with diabetes in the country, and the world, and more and more baby boomers are going to be developing diabetes, unfortunately. This is a great example of using a community program, focused on everyday lifestyle, to really reach the people who need to know about diabetes.
Part of what we have learned over the years about managing the chronic condition of diabetes is that we need to be able to go out to where people live, in the arenas where they are with others of like situations, and educate then as much as we can.
This is an example of a practical and feasible intervention that could be used to prevent diabetes in adults, no matter their socio-economic status.