An enlightenment from a chronic disease prevention——the China Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Study

To reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life for patients with diabetes,the China Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Study was initiated as health education and behavior intervention in the 1980s in Daqing City.576 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were recruited and randonized into a clinical trial,either to a control group or to one of three active treatment groups:diet only,exercise only,or diet plus exercise.Follow-up evaluation examinations were conducted 2-year intervals over a 6-year period and after 20-year period to identify subjects who developed diabetes mellitus.Diet and/or exercise interventions led to a significant decrease in the incidence of diabetes over a 6-year and 20-year period among those with IGT.The implementation of this study indicates that diabetes can be prevented through health education and behavioral intervention,and the prevention of diabetes and other chronic diseases should also focused on strengthening the muhi-sectoral cooperation,developing professional skills of health care providers,re-orientating health care services toward prevention of illness and promotion of health. Key words: Diabetes prevention ;  Health education ;  Behavioral intervention