T_Dia
01-07-2010, 12:03 AM
Using a pedometer as part of a structured education programme could reduce the chances of Type 2 diabetes by more than 50 per cent in those at risk of developing the condition, reveals a new Diabetes UK-funded study1 out today.
Ninety-eight people with pre-diabetes -- a precursor to Type 2 diabetes where you have raised blood glucose (sugar) levels -- took part in the study to assess the effectiveness of the Pre-diabetes Risk Education and Physical Activity Recommendation and Encouragement (PREPARE) programme and see whether using a pedometer helps people to sustain increased physical activity levels.
PREPARE offers a three-hour group education session about pre-diabetes and the role of a healthy lifestyle in preventing Type 2 diabetes. For the study, a control group was given only a brief information leaflet, another group took part in the education session and another was given both the education session and a pedometer. The pedometer group was helped to set personalised 'steps-per-day' targets, aimed at achieving at least 30 minutes of walking activity each day. All groups were followed up after three, six and 12 months.
Blood glucose levels, which were tested after participants ingested a standardised amount of sugar, were reduced by 15 per cent in the pedometer group after a year compared to the control group. This reduction was greater than that reported after one year in the most successful European and American studies of this kind. These studies did not include pedometer use but found that the risk of diabetes was reduced by up to 58 per cent over the longer term2. Therefore, the PREPARE researchers claim that if current results are sustained then their study will be at least as successful as this.
Full Article (http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2010/01/05/6509/pedometer-could-cut-type-2-diabetes-risk-by-half/?isComment=1).
Ninety-eight people with pre-diabetes -- a precursor to Type 2 diabetes where you have raised blood glucose (sugar) levels -- took part in the study to assess the effectiveness of the Pre-diabetes Risk Education and Physical Activity Recommendation and Encouragement (PREPARE) programme and see whether using a pedometer helps people to sustain increased physical activity levels.
PREPARE offers a three-hour group education session about pre-diabetes and the role of a healthy lifestyle in preventing Type 2 diabetes. For the study, a control group was given only a brief information leaflet, another group took part in the education session and another was given both the education session and a pedometer. The pedometer group was helped to set personalised 'steps-per-day' targets, aimed at achieving at least 30 minutes of walking activity each day. All groups were followed up after three, six and 12 months.
Blood glucose levels, which were tested after participants ingested a standardised amount of sugar, were reduced by 15 per cent in the pedometer group after a year compared to the control group. This reduction was greater than that reported after one year in the most successful European and American studies of this kind. These studies did not include pedometer use but found that the risk of diabetes was reduced by up to 58 per cent over the longer term2. Therefore, the PREPARE researchers claim that if current results are sustained then their study will be at least as successful as this.
Full Article (http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2010/01/05/6509/pedometer-could-cut-type-2-diabetes-risk-by-half/?isComment=1).