Outcomes of 6 years of activities by the Tokushima Medical Association’s Steering Committee for Diabetes Prevention to prevent type 2 diabetes in the general population of Tokushima Prefecture

Objective The effectiveness of diabetes prevention programs for the general population of Tokushima Prefecture was investigated. The programs were designed by Tokushima Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Steering Committee for Diabetes Prevention. Research design and methods The committee promoted diabetes prevention by disseminating educational messages on diabetes to the general public and medical care providers, and by establishing a referral system among public health centers and medical institutes throughout Tokushima Prefecture during the period from 2004 to 2009. The outcomes of these activities were evaluated by analyzing data from Prefectural Health and Nutrition Surveys conducted in Tokushima in 1997 ( n = 998), 2003 ( n = 1,008) and 2010 ( n = 1,130). Results The percentage of subjects with glucose intolerance at the time of initiation of the prevention program in Tokushima tended to increase from 1997 to 2003, but had slightly decreased by 2010, although these differences were not statistically significant. Obesity parameters, mean total energy intake and physical activity as evaluated by the daily step count changed favorably in parallel with changes in the prevalence of diabetes during the study period. Conclusion The diabetes prevention programs initiated by the TMA committee may be useful in ameliorating the situation of diabetes in Tokushima Prefecture.