PREVENTING NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES

Many risk factors for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), such as obesity, physical inactivity, and high-fat diet, can potentia lly be modified. Furthermore, some of the metabolic abnormalities, suc h as insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance, that predict d iabetes can be improved by behavior modification and drug treatment. T hus, at feast to some extent, NIDDM may be preventable. Several small clinical trials have addressed the hypothesis that NIDDM can be preven ted by dietary modification, physical activity, or drug treatments. So me studies suggest a preventive effect, but the conclusions are limite d by considerations of sample size, randomization, or intensity of the interventions. Consequently, the hypothesis that NIDDM is preventable requires further testing.