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02-01-2017 | Lifestyle interventions | Review | Article

Workplace Interventions to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Narrative Review

Journal: Current Diabetes Reports

Authors: Dina Hafez, Allison Fedewa, Margaret Moran, Matthew O’Brien, Ronald Ackermann, Jeffrey T. Kullgren

Publisher: Springer US

Abstract

Purpose of review

This study aims to summarize the recent peer-reviewed literature on workplace interventions for prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including studies that translate the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) curriculum to workplace settings (n = 10) and those that use different intervention approaches to achieve the specific objective of T2DM prevention among employees (n = 3).

Recent findings

Weight reduction was achieved through workplace interventions to prevent T2DM, though such interventions varied substantially in their effectiveness. The greatest weight loss was reported among intensive lifestyle interventions (i.e., at least 4 months in duration) that implemented the structured DPP curriculum (n = 3). Weight reduction was minimal among less intensive interventions, including those that substantially modified the DPP curriculum (n = 2) and those that used non-DPP intervention approaches to prevent T2DM (n = 3). Most studies (n = 12) reported increased levels of physical activity following the intervention.

Summary

Implementation of the DPP in workplaces may be an effective strategy to prevent T2DM among employees.
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