HKU_Newsletter_Issue43_0128

± 0.8. With funding support from the Health Care and Promotion Scheme, our research team is now running a full-scale randomized controlled trial toevaluate the effect of a community- based lifestyle intervention on insulin sensitivity, glycemic control and metabolic profiles in overweight/ obese adults with pre-diabetes. The study is conducted in a community setting and involves cross-sector collaboration and a train-the- trainer programme to enhance sustainability. Nursing students are recruited and trained to support the lifestyle intervention. Nursing students are our future healthcare leaders. We believe that this kind of real-world experience in diabetes prevention will influence their future professional practice and cascade the impacts of the project. References 1 Mirasol R, Thai AC, Salahuddin AA, Tan K, Deerochanawong C, Mohamed M, et al. A consensus of key opinion leaders on the management of pre-diabetes in the Asia-Pacific region. 2017. 2017;32(1). 2 Chan JCN, Zhang Y, Ning G. Diabetes in China: a societal solution for a personal challenge. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology . 2014;2(12):969-79. 3 Gong Q, Gregg E, Wang J, An Y, Zhang P, Yang W, et al. Long-term effects of a randomised trial of a 6-year lifestyle intervention in impaired glucose tolerance on diabetes-related microvascular complications: the China Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Outcome Study. Diabetologia . 2011;54(2):300-7. 4 Lindström J, PeltonenM, Eriksson J, Ilanne-Parikka P, Aunola S, Keinänen- Kiukaanniemi S, et al. Improved lifestyle and decreased diabetes risk over 13 years: long-term follow-up of the randomised Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS). Diabetologia . 2013;56(2):284-93. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a major non-communicable disease and one of the world’s fastest growing public health problems. It is associated with significant morbidity, including increased risk of heart disease and stroke, retinopathy and blindness, renal failure and leg amputation, which places an enormous burden on individuals, society and the healthcare system. The Asia-Pacific region carries a high disease burden, with more than 60% of the global diabetic population living in the Asian region. 1 However, T2DM and its complications are both preventable. The onset of T2DM is gradual, with most individuals progressing through a state of pre-diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk of developing T2DM and its associated complications, such as heart disease and retinopathy, which can develop even in the absence of progression to overt T2DM. A National Survey conducted in China in 2010 revealed that more than half of adults aged 18 or older have pre-diabetes. 2 Pre-diabetes is a prevalent and potentially reversible condition. It offers an important window of opportunity for healthcare providers to implement interventions to delay or prevent T2DM and its complications. International trials demonstrate that lifestyle interventions targeting at least 5% weight loss in individuals with pre-diabetes can be cost-effective in preventing T2DM. 3, 4 Our research team was one of the first groups to translate the evidence-based diabetes prevention strategies into a community setting. We have pilot tested a culturally appropriate community-based lifestyle intervention programme in a group of middle-aged adults (mean age 50.4± SD 7.5 years) who were overweight/ obese (mean BMI 27.0 ± 3.2 kg/m 2 ) and prediabetic. The study culturally and linguistically adopts the key aspects of a successful Diabetes Prevention Programme. The intervention targets weight loss of at least 5% over 6 months through restriction of caloric intake and increased physical activity. After 6 months of lifestyle interventions, 67% participants lost at least 5% of their baseline weight (mean weight loss 2.7 ± 3.9kg) and the HOMA-IR (an indicator or insulin resistance) reduced from 2.1± 1.2 to 1.6 Research F eature Stories Dr. Mandy Ho Assistant Professor Pre-diabetes: AWindow of Opportunity for Diabetes Prevention 2