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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Intensive exercise and diet may be the key to reducing the risk of developing diabetes, according to a new research. The study finds even after the patients stopped receiving counseling, most were able to maintain their healthier lifestyle.
This study was done as a follow up to the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. In the original study, the participants included overweight, middle-aged people with impaired glucose tolerance. The participants were randomly assigned to an intensive lifestyle intervention or a control group. The lifestyle intervention group was given individualized counseling in order to lose weight, decrease intake of fat and saturated fat, increase fiber intake, and exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
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The first study followed the participants for four years. Researchers reported the intervention group achieved a 58-percent reduction in risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to the control group. The counseling for the participants then ended.
After three more years, study authors conducted a follow up study -- the research published this week. Researchers report the participants in the intervention group maintained a 36-percent reduction in risk of developing diabetes. Study authors report this shows even after counseling has ended, a marked difference in reducing the risk of diabetes can be achieved. They conclude this study reveals an important message in that an intensive lifestyle intervention lasting only a limited time can yield benefits that last a lot longer.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2006;368:1673-1679
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