(P24-005-23) A 12-Month Hybrid (In-Person + Virtual) Education Program in Arab Adults Modestly Reduced the Risk of Diabetes

Objectives: This 12-month intervention study investigated the effect of hybrid educational lifestyle modification on glycemic control among Saudi adults with different glycemic statues.

Methods: A total of 303 adults were recruited for this program and divided according to baseline HbA1c into normal (235), prediabetes (45), and diabetes (23) groups. At baseline, all percipients received lifestyle change education to improve diet and exercise behavior with the prediabetes and diabetes group receiving a tailored lifestyle intervention by certified nutritionists and physical therapists. All were advised to modify their lifestyle by shifting to a healthy diet, implementing good exercise behavior, increasing physical activity, and reducing weight if they were overweight or obese. In follow-up, participants were counseled after 3 months through an educational session about lifestyle modification necessary to prevent T2DM.In the first three months in-person counseling was done, however, due to COVID 19lockdownfrom March 2020 onwards, the follow-up educational activities were done through virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom.

Results: Post-intervention a significant decrease in weight Z score and weight Z score over time was observed in the normal and diabetic groups (p-values  < 0.001). A significant reduction in systolic BP and an increase in good cholesterol(HDL-C) were noticed in all groups. Fasting glucose and HbA1c significantly reduce post-intervention in all; however, a large proportion of prediabetes (57.8%) and diabetes(34%) group were able to normalize their HbAc1 levels.

Conclusions: This hybrid lifestyle intervention program modestly reduces the risk of T2DM among adults with elevated HbA1c levels. Further studies in this population should address the change of sustaining interest in adopting lifestyle changes for a longer duration.

Funding Sources: This research was funded by the Scientific Research Deanship, King Saud University for funding this research project through Vice deanship of Scientific Research Chairs.