title: Diabetes risk reduction in overweight first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes patients: effects of a low-intensive lifestyle education program (DiAlert) A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the efficacy of a low-intensive lifestyle education program (DiAlert) for overweight first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes patients aimed at reducing diabetes risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overweight first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes patients were randomly assigned to the DiAlert intervention (N=45) or control group who received leaflets (N=51). DiAlert consists of two group sessions and newsletters. Assessments were scheduled at baseline, three and nine months, with weight loss as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric, metabolic, behavioral and psychological measures. Comparisons were made over time and between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups showed modest weight loss with no difference between randomization groups. However, after DiAlert significantly more participants lost 5% of their weight compared to controls (P=0.03). Significant improvement of waist circumference sustained after 9 months in the intervention group (intervention: -4.33cm, P<0.01/control: -1.25cm, P=0.08). Systolic blood pressure improved within the intervention group (intervention: -8.77mmHg, P<0.01/control: -1.03mmHg, P=0.60). No effect was observed for biomedical and psychosocial outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our low-intensive structured lifestyle education program helps overweight relatives to improve waist circumference and supports relevant weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The family approach provides opportunities to reach and engage relatives at risk in diabetes prevention education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, The EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.heideman@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Wieke H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Heideman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, The EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maartje
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Wit
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Barend J C
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Middelkoop
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nierkens
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stronks
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Amsterdam Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Arnoud P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Verhoeff
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, The EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Snoek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010375:Pedigree; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Diabetes prevention; Family history; Lifestyle education; Type 2 diabetes