Physical Activity Levels in a Community Lifestyle Intervention: A Randomized Trial.

Background: A behavioral lifestyle intervention program with goals of increasing physical activity (PA) and losing weight was shown to be efficacious for preventing type 2 diabetes and decreasing risk for cardiovascular disease in the U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Modified versions of the DPP lifestyle intervention are being translated into diverse community settings and have been successful in decreasing weight and improving metabolic markers. However, comprehensive evaluations of PA levels within these community translation intervention efforts are rare.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a DPP-based community lifestyle intervention for improving PA levels.

Methods: 223 overweight adults at-risk for type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease were randomized (immediate or 6-month delayed-start) to a 12-month DPP-based lifestyle intervention. Past-month PA level was assessed at baseline and post-intervention with the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Simple and mixed-effects regression models were used to determine changes in PA level between and within groups over time.

Results: The between-group mean difference for change in PA levels from baseline to 6 months indicated significantly greater improvement in the intervention compared to the delayed-start group [+6.72 (SE=3.01) MET-hrs/week; =0.03]. Examining combined within-group change from baseline to post-intervention, mean PA levels significantly increased by +14.69 (SE=1.43) and +9.50 (SE= 1.40) MET-hrs/week at 6 and 12 months post-intervention, respectively. This PA change offset to approximately +10 MET-hrs/week at both 6 and 12 months after adjusting for baseline PA level and season (all; <0.01). Other than season, sex impacted on change in PA level.

Conclusions: This community-based lifestyle intervention significantly increased PA levels among overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even after adjusting for key variables.

Clinicaltrialsgov Identifier: NCT01050205.