Nutrition and lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes: pilot study in the Netherlands showing improved glucose control and reduction in glucose lowering medication. Issue 1 (14th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pot, Gerda K; Battjes-Fries, Marieke CE; Patijn, Olga N; Pijl, Hanno; Witkamp, Renger F; de Visser, Marianne; van der Zijl, Nynke; de Vries, Maaike; Voshol, Peter J
• Is Part Of: BMJ nutrition, prevention & health. Volume 2:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2019-05-14
• Subjects: type 2 diabetes -- reversing -- lifestyle intervention -- nutrition -- proof of practice -- multidisciplinary; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; Lifestyles -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2018-000012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-5542

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing rapidly and lifestyle interventions to reverse diabetes are seen as a possible solution to stop this trend. New practice-based evidence is needed to gain more insight in the actual, and above all scientific, basis for these claims. Methods: This observational study with a pretest post-test design aimed to pilot a 6-month multicomponent outpatient group-based nutrition and lifestyle intervention programme on glycaemic control and use of glucose lowering medication in motivated T2D patients with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m 2 in the Netherlands (February 2015–March 2016). Results: 74 T2D patients (56% female) aged 57.4±8.0 years with mean BMI 31.2±4.2 kg/m 2 and mean waist circumference 105.4±10.2 cm were included in the study. Compared with baseline, mean HbA1c levels at 6 months were 5 mmol/mol lower (SD=10, p<0.001) and the number of participants with HbA1c levels ≤53 mmol/mol after intervention had increased (from 36% (n=26/72) to 60% (n=43/72)). At baseline, 90% of participants were taking at least one type of glucose lowering medication. At 6 months, 49% (n=35/72) of the participants had reduced their medication or eliminated it completely (13%). Secondary outcomes were significantly lower fasting glucose levels (− 1.2±2.6 mmol/L), body weight (−4.9±5.1 kg), BMI (−1.70±1.69 kg/m 2 ) and waist circumference (−9.4±5.0 cm). Plasma lipids remained unchanged except for a decrease in triglyceride levels. Furthermore, self-reported quality of life was significantly higher while experienced fatigue and sleep problems were significantly lower. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that a 6-month multicomponent group-based program in a routine care setting could improve glycaemic control and reduce the use of glucose lowering medication in motivated T2D diabetics. A fully scaled study is needed to confirm these results.