Two studies report that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with increasing body weight. 

Interventions based on nutrition therapy or physical activity and intensive lifestyle interventions, involving both nutrition therapy and physical activity are effective at reducing incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Interventions involving pharmacotherapy are also effective at reducing incidence of type 2 diabetes, however, in all but one study, lifestyle interventions were more effective than pharmacotherapy.

Two studies regarding consumption of specific nutrients, such as antioxidants and sugar, have not been shown to have a significant effect on the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

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• Worksheets
  • Ebbesson SOE, Ebbesson LOE, Swenson M, Kennish JM, Robbins DC. A successful diabetes prevention study in Eskimos: The Alaskan Siberia Project. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2005; 64: 409-424.
  • Janket SJ, Manson JE, Sesso H, Buring JE, Liu S. A Prospective Study of Sugar Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women. Diabetes Care, 2003; 26 (4): 1,008-1,015.
  • Watanabe M, Yokotsuka M, Yamaoka K, Tango T. Randomized controlled trial of a new dietary education program to prevent type 2 diabetes in a high-risk group of Japanese male workers. Diabetes Care, 2003: 3,209-3,214.
  • Yamaoka K, Tango T. Efficacy of lifestyle education to prevent type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Care, 2005; 28 (11): 2,780-2,786.