Diabetes prevention program in a Mediterranean environment: individual or group therapy? An effectiveness evaluation.

Introduction: Diabetes as a multifactorial disorder requires prevention measures based upon the modification of several risk factors simultaneously; otherwise, there is insufficient potential for prevention. Following the success of the American Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), we implemented an intervention program in a large Israeli healthcare organization with an emphasize on Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and physical activity. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of two types of intervention, individual and group therapies, in reducing risk factors and in preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes.

Intensive dietary intervention by a dietitian as a case manager among community dwelling older adults: the EDIT study.

Background: Clinical trials that have assessed the best approach for treating under-nutrition in old age are scarce.

Objective: To determine the impact of an intensive nutritional intervention program led by a dietitian on the health and nutritional status of malnourished community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Sixty-eight eligible participants (age<75) were randomly assigned to a Dietetic Intervention Treatment (DIT), an intensive nutritional intervention led by a dietitian, or a Medical Treatment (MT), a physician-led standard care group, with an educational booklet regarding dietary requirements and recommendations for older adults.

Short- and long-term beneficial effects of a combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention for the treatment of childhood obesity.

Background: Obesity has become the most common pediatric chronic disease in the modern era. Early prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity is mandated. Surprisingly, however, only a minor fraction of obese children participate in weight reduction interventions, and the longer-term effects of these weight-reduction interventions among children have not been elucidated.

Parental obesity and higher pre-intervention BMI reduce the likelihood of a multidisciplinary childhood obesity program to succeed--a clinical observation.

Objective: To assess the effects and identify factors associated with success of a combined, structured multidisciplinary weight management program in obese children and adolescents.

Methods: Seventy-seven obese children (age 6-16 years) participated in a 12-month combined dietary-behavioral-exercise intervention. Thirty-seven (age and maturity comparable) obese children who did not participate in the structured program served as controls.