Adherence
Intensive lifestyle modification (ILS) is significantly more effective at preventing type 2 diabetes in older adults (60-85 years) compared to younger adults, primarily due to greater adherence resulting in higher weight loss and physical activity levels.
If you are over 60 and at risk for diabetes, an intensive lifestyle program focusing on moderate exercise (like brisk walking) and modest weight loss (7% of body weight) is highly effective. Older adults in the study actually benefited more than younger ones, likely because they had more time and fewer distractions to stick to the program. Focus on consistency and weight loss rather than high-intensity training.
ILS was more effective with increasing age (6.3, 4.9, and 3.3 cases per 100 person-years, in the 25–44, 45–59, and 60–85 year age groups, respectively; ptrend ¼ .007)... Participants aged 60–85 years had the most weight loss and metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours of physical activity.
Why this rating
Derived from a large, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (DPP) with pre-defined secondary outcomes and rigorous statistical analysis.
Source
The Influence of Age on the Effects of Lifestyle Modification and Metformin in Prevention of Diabetes
Jill Crandall et al. · The Journals of Gerontology Series A · 2006
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