Can the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes Be Delayed by a Group-Based Lifestyle Intervention in Women with Prediabetes following Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)‎? Findings from a Randomized Control Mixed Methods Trial

Abstract EN

Objective.

To evaluate a 12-week group-based lifestyle intervention programme for women with prediabetes following gestational diabetes (GDM).

Design.

A two-group, mixed methods randomized controlled trial in which 50 women with a history of GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance postpartum were randomly assigned to intervention (n=24) or wait control (n=26) and postintervention qualitative interviews with participants.

Main Outcome Measures.

Modifiable biochemical, anthropometric, behavioural, and psychosocial risk factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

The primary outcome variable was the change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from study entry to one-year follow-up.

Results.

At one-year follow-up, the intervention group showed significant improvements over the wait control group on stress, diet self-efficacy, and quality of life.

There was no evidence of an effect of the intervention on measures of biochemistry or anthropometry; the effect on one health behaviour, diet adherence, was close to significance.

Conclusions.

Prevention programmes must tackle the barriers to participation faced by this population; home-based interventions should be investigated.

Strategies for promoting long-term health self-management need to be developed and tested.