Background: Obesity and pre-diabetes are the major risk factors of type 2 diabetes. Recent literature recommended that a combination of weight loss and remission of pre-diabetes provide the most effective protection against the development of type 2 diabetes.
Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of a 6-month community-based lifestyle program on weight loss and remission of pre-diabetes among obese adults with pre-diabetes.
Methods: The research team trained five non-governmental organizations to deliver an evidence-based lifestyle intervention program (include diet and physical activity interventions) for diabetes prevention. Chinese adults with obesity (BMI≥25kg/m2) and pre-diabetes were recruited from community settings. Participants received six monthly group-based lifestyle modification sessions lasting two hours each, as well as two individual face-to-face diet counseling sessions, over a six-month intervention period The intervention targeted 5% weight loss in six months. Body weight, Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1C), and blood lipid profile were assessed at baseline and 6 months.
Results: A total of 378 Chinese adults (28% males, mean age=53 ±5.9 years, BMI= 28.7 ±3.7kg/m2, mean HbA1C=6±0.3%) completed the 6-month interventions. The interventions led to a significant reduction in the mean BMI (-0.93 ± 1.36kg/m2), with 27.1% of participants achieved a clinically significant weight loss of 5% or more from baseline. However, 2% of participants gained 5% or more of their body weight at the post-test. There was a significant reduction in mean HbA1C (-0.05±0.25%, P<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein levels (-0.04±0.59mmol/L, P<0.001), as well as improvements on the high-density lipoprotein levels (0.05±0.23 mmol/L, P<0.001). Additionally, 12.5% participants showed remission to normal glucose regulation from pre-diabetes after 6-month interventions.
Conclusions: This real-world study demonstrates that group-based lifestyle interventions effectively reduce diabetes risk and improve cardiometabolic profiles in Chinese adults with prediabetes. Future studies should investigate ways to optimize and sustain the intervention's effects.