Community-based lifestyle interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE — To conduct a literature review of community-based interventions intended to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — Recently published findings about the po-tential to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with intensive lifestyle interventions prompted a literature search for community-based diabetes prevention interventions. The literature review design was a search of databases for publications in 1990–2001 that identified reports on community-based interventions designed to prevent or modify risk factors for type 2 diabetes. RESULTS — The search revealed 16 published interventions, 8 of which were conducted in the U.S. and involved populations disproportionately burdened by diabetes (e.g., American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Mexican Americans, and African Americans). Of the studies report-ing results among youth, there were posttest improvements in intervention groups in knowl-edge, preventive behaviors, and self-esteem. Among studies reporting results among adults, most reported improvements in intervention groups in knowledge or adoption of regular physical activity. Several investigators offered important reflections about the process of engaging com-munities and sharing decision making in participatory research approaches, as well as insight