“More Health, Less Diabetes – Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis and prevention Program”: Pilot Project

Introduction: An increase in the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is expected in the upcoming years, both in Portugal and worldwide. A significant concern is the high number of individuals who are unaware of their condition or who are at risk of developing it, reflecting a critical public health issue. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) can be prevented in high-risk individuals targeting lifestyle modifications, which may reverse modifiable risk factors. The National Diabetes Program created the “More Health, Less Diabetes – Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis and prevention Program”, a community-based lifestyle intervention program, consisting of educational sessions aiming to improve health literacy, leading to habits change. Objective: to evaluate the Program, validate the effectiveness of its interventions and assess its outcomes, facilitating its nationwide implementation. Methods: 23 participants at moderate or high risk of developing T2DM were included and underwent a 12-month educational intervention. Anthropometric data and responses to the FINDRISC, EQ-5D-5L, PREDIMED, and adapted IPAQ questionnaires were evaluated at the beginning and end of the Program. Results: After 12 months in this program, there were statistically significant reductions in body weight (from 81.9kg to 78.8kg, p<0.001), BMI (31.2kg/m² to 30.0kg/m², p<0.001), and waist circumference (104.5cm to 100.17cm, p<0.001) and significant improvements in the risk of developing T2DM (p=0.001), physical activity levels (p=0.035), adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p=0.035) and Anxiety/Depression levels (p=0.007). Conclusion: This Program proved effectiveness reducing the risk of developing T2DM, showing potential for national implementation, in primary health care settings. Its major advantage is the emphasis on the primary prevention of a highly prevalent, chronic disease with significant healthcare costs.