Exercise and diet are effective in preventing type 2 diabetes PEARLS No. 112, September 2008, written by Brian R McAvoy Clinical question: How effective are exercise and diet forpreventing type 2 diabetes? Bottom line: Interventions aimed at increasing exercise, combined with diet, are able to decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes in high risk groups (people with impaired glucose tolerance or the metabolic syndrome). The relative risk reduction was 37%. The interventions had favourable

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... ts on body weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. The duration of the interventions ranged from one to six years. Interventions varied betweenstudies but mainly consisted of caloricr estriction if the person was overweight, low fat content (especially saturated fat), high carbohydrate content and an increase in fibre intake in the diet. Physical activity varied but on average at least 150 minutes each week of brisk walking or other activities, such as cycling or jogging, were recommended. Interventions weremainly delivered by frequent individual counselling from a physiotherapist, an exercise physiologist and a dietitian.