Efficacy of lifestyle intervention program for Arab women with prediabetes using social media as an alternative platform of delivery

Al-Hamdan, Rasha; Avery, Amanda; Al-Disi, Dara; Sabico, Shaun; Al-Daghri, Nasser M; Mccullough, Fiona

Abstract

Aims/Introduction: This 6-month interventional study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different educational programs among Saudi women with prediabetes referred by primary care. Materials and Methods: A total of 253 (100 group education program [GEP], 84 WhatsApp education program [WEP] and 69 control group [CG]) eligible participants were invited to take part in the study, out of whom 120 received intervention (40 GEP, 43 WEP and 37 CG). GEP participants received focused, individualized lifestyle modification advice with bimonthly support sessions, WEP participants received the same intervention, but delivered through social media (WhatsApp). The CG received standard care. Anthropometrics, biochemical profiles and macronutrient intake were measured at baseline, and 3 and 6months. The primary end-points were glycated hemoglobin and weight, with lipids and dietary changes as secondary outcomes. Results: Glycated hemoglobin significantly improved in all groups post‐intervention (GEP baseline 6.0 ± 0.2 vs 6 months 5.5 ± 0.54; P < 0.001, WEP 6.0 ± 0.26 vs 5.3 ± 0.51; P < 0.001, CG 6.0 ± 0.37 vs 5.7 ± 0.49; P < 0.001), but with no difference in between‐group comparisons (P = 0.33). Within‐group comparisons showed a reduction in weight, but only in the GEP group (90.6 kg ± 27.3 vs 84.8 kg ± 24.3; P < 0.01), and this was significant in between‐group comparison (P = 0.003). Significant between‐group comparisons with respect to energy (g) intake (P = 0.005) were also observed, as well as triglycerides (P < 0.001) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.001), all in favor of the GEP group. Conclusions: Diabetes prevention programs, whether delivered through a focused educational group, social media or standard care, are equally efficacious in improving glycated hemoglobin levels among Saudi women with prediabetes, but a focused educational group was more effective in terms of successful weight loss.

Citation

Al-Hamdan, R., Avery, A., Al-Disi, D., Sabico, S., Al-Daghri, N. M., & Mccullough, F. (2021). Efficacy of lifestyle intervention program for Arab women with prediabetes using social media as an alternative platform of delivery. Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 12(10), 1872-1880. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.13531

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 23, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Feb 26, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Deposit Date: Feb 24, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 26, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Diabetes Investigation
• Print ISSN: 2040-1116
• Electronic ISSN: 2040-1124
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1872-1880
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.13531
• Keywords: Prediabetes, Social Media, Diabetes Prevention, Arab women, Lifestyle
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5348821
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdi.13531