Diabetes-prevention program successful, cost-effective

A lifestyle intervention program may help individuals control their blood sugar and even enable some people at risk for developing diabetes avoid the condition altogether, according to a new study. The approach may be an effective complement to a prescription to buy Actos for some.

For the study, a team of researchers from Emory University examined the findings of 28 previously published studies that assessed the effectiveness of an intervention program that was developed in 2002. It involves special exercise shoes, meal replacements, nutritional counseling and gym memberships.

The initial study of the intervention program proved that it is effective, but it cost around $1,400 per person. The researchers wanted to see if the cost could be lowered.

They found that alternative programs that offered the same type of support but utilized non-degree-holding professionals delivered roughly the same results but at lower costs. The team said their findings show that not only is the intervention proven to successfully help individuals lose weight and avoid developing diabetes, it can also be cost-effective.