TITLE:
Effects of a Community-Based Intervention on the Lifestyle and Health of People at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Benin
AUTHORS:
Clemence Germaine Metonnou, Colette Sylvie Azandjeme, Charles Jerome Sossa, Bio Nigan Issiako, Moussiliou Noël Paraïso, Victoire Agueh
KEYWORDS:
Effects, Primary Prevention, People at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
20,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Worldwide, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D)
is increasing at an epidemic rate. The objective of this study was to measure
the effects on lifestyle intervention in subjects at risk of T2D in a West African
country. Methods: This
study involved Beninese adults at risk of T2D randomly selected from 2 groups
of villages: control villages and villages exposed to nutrition education,
cooking demonstrations and physical activity sessions. Anthropometric,
clinical, and biological measurements were taken in both groups at the
beginning and end of the intervention, which lasted 12 months. The paired
sample t-test was used to assess the effect of the intervention on the
lifestyle of people at risk of T2D. Results: After 12 months of exposure to nutrition education,
cooking demonstrations and physical activity sessions in the intervention
villages, the mean body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage,
blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and amount of alcohol consumed
per week had significantly decreased. Conversely, the mean intensity of
physical activity and food consumption score had significantly increased. In
the control group, 5.6% of the people at risk developed to diabetes. The
relative risk was RR = 0.20 [0.14 - 0.56]. Conclusion: The intervention significantly improved metabolic indicators, intensity
of leisure activity and dietary score. We suggest larger studies to better
assess the effect of community-based interventions on the lifestyle and health
of people at risk of T2D in Africa.