Diabetes Care

OBJECTIVEWe examined the proportion of American adults without type 2 diabetes that engages in lifestyle behaviors known to reduce type 2 diabetes risk.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3,679 nonpregnant, nonlactating individuals aged 6520 years without diabetes (self-reported diagnosis or glycated hemoglobin 656.5% [8 mmol/mol] or fasting plasma glucose 65126 mg/dL) and who provided 2 days of reliable dietary data in the 2007\u20132012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). We used the average of 2 days of dietary recall and self-reported leisure-time physical activity to assess whether participants met type 2 diabetes risk reduction goals (meeting four or more MyPlate recommendations [adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, meat, beans, and eggs]; not exceeding three maximum allowances for alcoholic beverages, added sugars, fat, and cholesterol; and meeting physical activity recommendations [ 65150 min/week]).RESULTSApproximately 21%, 29%, and 13% of individuals met fruit, vegetable, and dairy goals, respectively. Half (51.6%) met the goal for total grains, compared with 18% for whole grains, and 54.2% met the meat/beans goal and 40.6% met the oils goal. About one-third (37.8%) met the physical activity goal, and 58.6% met the weight loss/maintenance goal. Overall, 3.1%(95% CI 2.4\u20134.0) of individuals met the majority of type 2 diabetes risk reduction goals. Younger age and lower educational attainment were associated with lower probability of meeting goals.CONCLUSIONSA small proportion of U.S. adults engages in risk reduction behaviors. Research and interventions targeted at young and less-educated segments of the population may help close gaps in risk reduction behaviors.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States2019-05-01T00:00:00Z29500166PMC64365276242vault:3181