Research

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Intensive lifestyle intervention (≥150 min/week moderate exercise and 500-1000 kcal/day caloric deficit) significantly reduces the incidence of new-onset type 2 diabetes compared to placebo, with benefits persisting for at least 21 years.

To prevent type 2 diabetes, aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week and eat 500-1000 calories less than you burn daily. This combination helps you lose 7% of your body weight. The benefits last for decades, reducing your risk of diabetes and related complications like heart disease and kidney issues. Start with small, sustainable changes to diet and activity.

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The Diabetes Prevention Program demonstrated the impact of intensive lifestyle intervention in preventing new-onset type 2 diabetes... both metformin and intensive lifestyle intervention resulted in significantly fewer cases of new-onset type 2 diabetes versus placebo (placebo 60%, metformin 55%, lifestyle intervention 53%, p < 0.01 for both interventions versus placebo)
Nicholas W. Carris et al. · Diabetes Therapy · 2023

Why this rating

Based on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and its 21-year follow-up (DPPOS), which are landmark randomized controlled trials.

Source

A Systematic Approach to Treating Early Metabolic Disease and Prediabetes

Nicholas W. Carris et al. · Diabetes Therapy · 2023

DOI 10.1007/s13300-023-01455-9

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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