What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Prediabetes or at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (n=107535). Intervention: Group cohort vs. Individual cohort. Primary outcome: Percent weight loss (p=<0.05).

What does this research mean for the field?

Participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Program achieve significantly greater weight loss and remain in the program longer when participating in group cohorts compared to individual one-on-one sessions. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This analysis explores how cohort size influences participant outcomes in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

June 7, 2026

1470-P: The Impact of Cohort Size on Outcomes for Participants Enrolled in the National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Program

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Participation in group cohorts of a lifestyle change program was associated with greater percent weight loss (4.1% vs 3.4%; p<0.05) compared to individual cohorts.

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Change Program achieve significantly greater weight loss and remain in the program longer when participating in group cohorts compared to individual one-on-one sessions. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

This analysis explores how cohort size influences participant outcomes in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Key Result

Participation in group cohorts of a lifestyle change program was associated with greater percent weight loss (4.1% vs 3.4%; p<0.05) compared to individual cohorts.

Key Points

This analysis explores how cohort size influences participant outcomes in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
Data from 879,307 participants was analyzed, focusing on 107,535 who completed the live lifestyle change program.
Participants were grouped into individual or group cohorts based on identifiers set by the organization.
The program's effectiveness was assessed through percent weight loss and mean days enrolled.
Group cohorts showed greater weight loss (4.1%) compared to individual cohorts (3.4%; p<0.05).
Mean days in the program were longer for group cohorts (231.1 days) versus individual cohorts (154.4 days; p<0.05).
Significant weight loss and program duration differences were seen across all demographics, including age, sex, and ethnicity (p<0.05).

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=107,535)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does group cohort participation improve weight loss and program retention compared to individual participation in adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes?

Population

107,535 adults with prediabetes or at high risk of type 2 diabetes who completed a live, yearlong lifestyle change program.

Exposure

Group cohort (multiple participants interacting with a lifestyle coach) in a yearlong lifestyle change program

Comparator

Individual cohort (1:1 interaction with a lifestyle coach)

Outcome

Percent weight loss and mean days in the programsurrogate

Group-based lifestyle change programs for diabetes prevention result in greater weight loss and longer program retention compared to individual 1:1 coaching.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 4.1% vs 3.4%

p-value: p=<0.05

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a partnership of public and private organizations delivering a structured, evidence-based, yearlong lifestyle change program (LCP) for adults with prediabetes or at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In 2012, through the Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program (DPRP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began awarding recognition to organizations meeting risk reduction and attendance requirements. This study examines the impact of cohort size on participant outcomes. Methods: As of November 2025, the DPRP has received data on 879,307 LCP participants. This analysis is limited to those who participated in live rather than self-paced delivery of the LCP, enrolled after the DPRP mandated cohort identifier collection, and had finished the program (N=107,535). Participants were assigned to a cohort type (individual—1:1 interaction with a lifestyle coach, or group—multiple participants interacting with a lifestyle coach) based on identifiers set by the organization. Results: Percent weight loss and mean days in the program were higher for group cohorts (4.1% and 231.1) than individual (3.4% and 154.4; p0.05). The percent weight loss difference was significant for all age groups; both sexes; those identifying as Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, White, African American or Black, or multiracial; and those reporting having a high school diploma or GED, or some college or technical school education or higher (p0.05). The difference in average days in the program was significant for all age groups; both sexes; all race and ethnicity groups; and those reporting some college or technical school or higher (p0.05). Conclusion: The results show participants perform better in group cohorts than individual cohorts, suggesting peer support may be important for achieving program goals. Disclosure E. Landau: None. E. Ely: None.

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