Culturally appropriate lifestyle interventions promote weight loss in rural dwelling people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Question

Do lifestyle interventions reduce weight and improve glycaemic control in rural dwelling people with type 2 diabetes?

Study design

Three-arm randomised controlled trial (intensive lifestyle intervention; less intensive intervention; usual care).

Main results

At 12 months, people receiving intensive lifestyle interventions lost significantly more weight than people from the usual care group (intensive lifestyle $\nu$ usual care: 49% $\nu$ 25%, p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the less intensive lifestyle and usual care groups. Glycaemic index was reduced in all groups (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in glycaemic index between groups.

Authors’ conclusions

Tailored lifestyle interventions promote weight loss and improve glycaemic control in rural dwelling people with type 2 diabetes. This approach is ineffective for weight loss if delivered in the timeframe reimbursed by health insurance, but may be effective for glycaemic control.