Online Diabetes Prevention Programs As Beneficial As In-Person Meetings for Weight Loss

Online Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) are equally as effective as face-to-face DPPs when it comes to weight loss, a new study has found. 

For the study, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 268 obese/overweight veterans with prediabetes were enrolled in online DPP between 2013 and 2014. In a separate trial, researchers used similar criteria to enroll 273 veterans in in-person DPP and 114 in MOVE!, the Veterans Administration’s (VA) in-person weight management program, between 2012 and 2014. 

https://twitter.com/NDPP_news/status/1044308190056402946

A primary analysis showed the online Diabetes Prevention Programs cohort had a mean weight loss of 10.3 pounds at six months and 8.8 pounds at 12 months. A secondary analysis of veterans who completed one or more modules/sessions showed a mean weight loss of 10.6 pounds at six months and 9 pounds at 12 months for the online group. Results for the in-person cohort were similar. But the online group lost significantly more weight than the MOVE! group who went to at least one meeting, who lost 1.1 pounds at six months and 10.6 pounds at 12 months. 

Veterans are limited in resource access for preventive #diabetes care. But online programs may do the trick: https://t.co/Dq1zAgHVY9

— HCPLive (@HCPLiveNews) September 24, 2018

The online DPP also had better participation rates: 87% completed eight or more sessions, while the rates were 59% and 55% for the in-person DPP and MOVE!, respectively. 

A new trial from @UCLAHealth @umichmedicine compared the standard in-person diabetes prevention program with an all-digital version from @omadahealth. The online DPP yielded similar weight loss w higher participation. From @CRichardsonmd in @AmJPrevMed https://t.co/OsgyESXfWx pic.twitter.com/5BUzvAIMwG

— U-M Family Medicine (@umfamilymed) September 24, 2018

The study authors concluded, “An intensive, multifaceted online DPP intervention may be as effective as in-person DPP and help expand reach to those at risk.” 

Read about social media’s impact on diabetes management here. 

Read about the prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among U.S. adults here. 

Sources: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, Newswise