Mixed
Lifestyle interventions combining dietary changes and physical activity significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals (those with impaired glucose tolerance or metabolic syndrome).
If you have impaired glucose tolerance or metabolic syndrome, combining modest weight loss (5-7% of body weight) with increased physical activity (aiming for ~150 minutes per week) and a diet lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly half. These benefits can last for many years, even after the active intervention ends.
In seven trials involving 4090 participants [32–34,36–38,40], lifestyle intervention significantly decreased T2D risk compared to control groups (RR = 0.53 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.67), p < 0.001)... We conclude that T2D is preventable by changing lifestyle and the risk reduction is sustained for many years after the active intervention (high certainty of evidence).
Why this rating
The study used a systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 RCTs with 4090 participants, graded as 'HIGH' certainty by GRADE.
Source
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes by Lifestyle Changes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Matti Uusitupa et al. · Nutrients · 2019
DOI 10.3390/nu11112611
More from this paper
- The risk reduction from lifestyle interventions for type 2 diabetes prevention is sustained for many years (up to 20 years) after the active intervention phase.Strong
- There is limited or insufficient data to show that preventing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes results in a lower risk of cardiovascular and microvascular complications.Moderate
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