Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Foods and Nutrition

Supervisor

Dr. Isabelle Giroux

Abstract

Objective: Lifestyle interventions that target diet and physical activity have been shown to reduce the development of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in individuals at risk; however, accessible and effective community-based prevention programs remain lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of PREPARE, a group lifestyle behaviour change program in adults with prediabetes.

Methods: Adults diagnosed with prediabetes could self-select PREPARE (n=48, intervention arm), consisting of six monthly group nutrition and physical activity education sessions, or, a one-time group education session (n=15, controls), both aimed to prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Primary outcome measures included dietary, anthropometric, and hemodynamic parameters associated with T2DM. Program impact was evaluated with a one-way ANOVA, while paired t-tests assessed within-group pre-/post- changes.

Results: The PREPARE program did not have a significant impact on the dietary factors examined; however, intervention participants did increase their intake of vegetables and fruit (V&F) by +0.3 servings/day, achieving a mean daily intake of 6.3 V&F servings/day post-program. Additionally, participants that attended ≥50% of the education sessions (n=25) significantly reduced their sodium (p

Conclusions: These preliminary results show potential for modifying key lifestyle behaviours known to contribute to T2DM development.

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