A nationwide programme to reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the UK is proven beyond reasonable doubt to work, a new study reveals.

The positive effects observed in the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme – the largest such project in the world helping people across the UK to lose weight and control their blood sugar levels – may have relevance globally for tackling the diabetes epidemic.

The Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) in England referred adults with high risk of developing diabetes to lifestyle counselling for losing weight, encouraging physical activity, and other lifestyle improvements. The program started in 2016, but doubts have remained about whether it worked or not.

Now, an international team of researchers from the UK, Germany, USA, and South Africa analysed English health data from over two million patients– finding strong evidence that referral to the programme improved the factors which can lead to people developing Type 2 diabetes.

Publishing their findings today (Wednesday 15 November) in Nature, the research team used state-of-the-art statistical methods that reveal being referred to the that the programme has resulted in improved glycemic control, as well as reductions in Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Co-author Professor Justine Davies, from the University of Birmingham, commented: “Our findings clearly demonstrate the huge benefits of intensive lifestyle counselling for improving the health of patients with prediabetes. The evidence also suggests a promising route for improving population health more broadly.

“The positive effects observed in the programme may also extend to other non-communicable diseases such as cancer, which is increasingly thought to be connected to unhealthy lifestyle habits and environments.”

The researchers note that doctors’ scepticism about the effectiveness of lifestyle counselling for successful behaviour change may stem from GPs’ experience that brief counselling — often the only feasible approach in time-constrained consultations — may be of limited benefit.

Urgent need for widespread interventions

Lead author Julia Lemp from the University of Heidelberg, in Germany, commented: “There is an urgent need to implement population-based measures that prevent diabetes, enhance its early detection, and address cardiovascular risk factors to prevent or delay its progression to complications.

“Investment in structured, intensive behaviour change programmes may help prevent development of Type 2 diabetes whilst reducing the risk of complications from diabetes and cardiovascular events.

“Our results show beyond reasonable doubt that investments in programs such as this should continue. At the same time, there are many people at risk for diabetes who remain underserved by existing care pathways and for whom targeted prevention strategies should be further explored.”

Diabetes prevalence and related deaths continue to rise in most parts of the world. By 2030, the global number of adults with diabetes is expected to reach 578 million – 10% of the world’s adult population.