Lifestyle Intervention Decreases Daily Insulin Requirements and Improves Diabetes Outcomes in African-American Veterans

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise and dietary intervention program on glycemic control medications in African American Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes (DM2). METHODS: Veterans (n=172; age 61 ± 7.8 years) with DM2 from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC, participated in an personalized lifestyle intervention consisting of dietary counseling provided by a registered dietician and supervised cardiovascular and resistance exercise program prescribed by a clinical exercise physiologist. Exercise intensity was maintained at 50% to 80% of heart rate reserve. In addition to twice weekly supervised exercise sessions, participants were instructed to supplement their exercise by engaging in moderate activity to accumulate at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Baseline and follow up peak exercise capacity was assessed by a graded exercise test (Bruce protocol). Information on glycemic control medications at baseline and upon completion of the program was extracted from the medical records of each participant. RESULTS: Significant improvements were noted in exercise capacity, HgA1c and fasting blood glucose after 12 weeks of participation in the program. A significant decrease in daily insulin requirements was also noted and a trend towards lower doses of sulfonylurea. There was no change in daily metformin dosage (Table). CONCLUSION: A lifestyle intervention of supervised exercise and dietary counseling was effective in improving cardiovascular and metabolic parameters and decreasing exogenous insulin requirements in AA with Type 2 DM.Table: No title available.