Translating the Diabetes Prevention Program Into Practice in the General Community: Findings From the Montana Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Prevention Program

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of translating the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention into practice in the general community. Methods In 2008, the Montana Diabetes Control Program, working collaboratively with 4 health care facilities, implemented an adapted group-based DPP lifestyle intervention. Adults at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease were recruited and enrolled (n = 355). Eighty-three percent (n = 295) of participants completed the 16-session program. Participants set targets to reduce fat intake and increase physical activity (greater-than-or-equal150 minutes per week) to achieve a weight loss goal of 7%. Results Seventy percent of participants achieved the physical activity goal of greater-than-or-equal150 minutes per week. There was a significant decrease among participants' weight from baseline (mean ± SD, 99.3 ± 19.7 kg) to week 16 (92.6 ± 18.8 kg; mean difference, 6.7 ± 4.0 kg, P < .001). Forty-five percent of the participants achieved the 7% weight loss goal, and 67% achieved at least 5% weight loss. Participants who were 60 years of age and older, had a diagnosis of hypertension, met their physical activity goal of greater-than-or-equal150 minutes per week, and those more frequently monitoring their fat intake were more likely to meet the 7% weight loss goal compared with participants without these characteristics. Conclusion The findings suggest that it is feasible to recruit and retain high-risk participants and achieve weight loss and physical goals in a group setting that are comparable with those achieved in the DPP.