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Adults aware of prediabetes status more likely to exercise, lose weight
Adults who are aware of their prediabetes status are more likely to engage in activities that will reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes, including exercise and weight management behaviors, according to research in American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
In a pooled cross-sectional analysis Anjali Gopalan, MD, of the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues analyzed data from two cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. The researchers excluded participants with self-reported diabetes and screened the remaining participants for HbA1c values between 5.7% and 6.4%; this group was further divided based on self-reported prediabetes status. Researchers used multivariate logistic regression to estimate the effect of prediabetes awareness on the odds of engaging physical activity, weight loss-related activity and a combination of the two.
Within the cohort, 2,694 met the criteria for prediabetes, but only 288 participants were aware of their status. Those who were aware of their prediabetes were more likely to engage any type of weight management when compared with those who did not know they had prediabetes (65.9% vs. 49.3%; P < .001) as well as BMI-appropriate weight management (54.9% vs. 38.8%; P < .001). Those aware of their prediabetes were also more likely to engage in both physical activity and weight management (OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2), and were also more likely to combine at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity with at least 7% weight loss in the past year (OR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.6).
“Our study also demonstrates that although it is critical to diagnose prediabetes and counsel patients about how to reduce their diabetes risk, this alone may be insufficient for most people,” the researchers wrote. “Health care providers must build strong ties with health care systems, communities and payers to increase the availability of evidence-based, structured lifestyle programs. The prediabetes period presents an opportunity to intervene.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.