Methods: The NDPP was integrated into existing health services within a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in an urban medically underserved community. Participants were identified prediabetics receiving primary health care services within the FQHC, with hemoglobin-A1c levels between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, over the age of 18 years, with a body mass index (BMI) 24 and higher. Participants were excluded if they had a previous or current diagnosis of type I or II diabetes, or a prior hemoglobin-A1c level of 6.5 percent or higher. The participants received weekly to biweekly group sessions aligning with the 2012 NDPP curriculum. Study data was obtained through the 16-session core program of the NDPP. A pre-test, post-test paired group t-test was completed to evaluate the change in mean weight and BMI at the beginning and end of the core program. Correlational analyses were completed to evaluate the association between weight change, age, gender, number of sessions attended, and total minutes of physical activity. Anecdotal evidence regarding successes and challenges of implementation of the program within the FQHC were noted.
Results: Twelve participants initiated the program, and eight completed at least four of the 16 sessions. The mean weight loss for all participants was 5.3 pounds, and 7.4 pounds for those who completed at least four sessions. There was a significant difference in pre-weight, post-weight and BMI (p < 0.05) for all participants and those who completed a minimum of four sessions. Weight loss was independent of age or gender. Weight loss was more significant when the lowest weight attained was considered in place of the last recorded weight. A significant positive correlation was found between weight loss and number of sessions attended (p < 0.05), and between weight loss and total minutes of physical activity (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Participation in the core portion of the NDPP significantly reduced weight and BMI in a group of prediabetic individuals in an urban medically underserved community, with weight loss unrelated to age and gender. These results are consistent with prior research that demonstrated the effectiveness of an intensive lifestyle intervention on reduction in diabetes risk. A greater level of weight loss was associated with higher levels of program participation through session attendance and physical activity. There was an observable discrepancy between the final program weight and the lowest weight attained, suggesting the importance of considering weight fluctuations in evaluating program effectiveness. Challenges such as low literacy and education, and medical and psychosocial comorbidities were documented and suggested a potential negative impact on weight loss.
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