Effectiveness of Dietitan Interventions in Adults with Prediabetes Systematic Review (2022-23)

Effectiveness of Dietitian Interventions in Adults with Prediabetes

Prediabetes is broadly defined as an intermediate state of hyperglycemia where blood glucose levels are higher than what is considered a healthy cardiometabolic state, but lower than the diagnostic criteria for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) [1]. It is crucial to identify and treat prediabetes as individuals with prediabetes are at higher risk of developing T2DM (1). It is estimated that 25% of individuals with prediabetes will develop T2DM within three to five years with approximately 70% developing T2DM during their lifetime [1]. Importantly, prediabetes is considered reversible and lifestyle strategies that reduce insulin resistance have allowed individuals with prediabetes to achieve healthy blood glucose levels, thereby removing the prediabetes diagnosis [1].

Findings from this systematic review support the importance of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in the treatment plan for individuals at risk of developing T2DM. MNT provided by a dietitian or international equivalent is effective in improving glycemic control and cardiometabolic risk factors for adults with prediabetes. MNT is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for prediabetes that can be used in diverse communities [2,3].

This systematic review and meta-analysis found:

MNT provided by a dietitian may reduce Hemoglobin A1c, certainty of evidence was low; and reduce fasting blood glucose, certainty of evidence was moderate.
MNT provided by a dietitian may reduce body weight, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and blood pressure, certainty of evidence was moderate; and reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, certainty of evidence was low.
The effect of MNT provided by a dietitian on incidence of T2DM was uncertain.

Use the links on the left to review the results of the systematic review.

References:

Hostalek U. Global epidemiology of prediabetes - present and future perspectives. Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. 2019;5:5.
Briggs Early K, Stanley K. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in the Prevention and Treatment of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018 Feb;118(2):343–53.
Franz MJ, Boucher JL, Rutten-Ramos S, VanWormer JJ. Lifestyle weight-loss intervention outcomes in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Sep;115(9):1447–63.

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