GVGPs

LIFE! Taking Action on Diabetes – a prevention program 

• Diabetes is one of the leading causes of heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney damage
• Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle modification
• The LIFE! Taking Action on Diabetes Program (LIFE!) is an evidence based lifestyle behaviour change program that prevents the onset of new diabetes in up to 58% of course participants

LIFE! Program goals

The LIFE! Program goals are based upon findings from the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study.[1] During the program, the LIFE! Facilitator will support and encourage individual planning and achievement of the following goals:

 Weight loss goal

• Aim to decrease total body weight by at least 5%

 Healthy eating goals

• Reduce fat intake to no more than 30% energy from fat and aim to achieve a low fat eating score of 45 or higher on the Fat and Fibre barometer
• Increase your fibre intake to 15g per 1000kcal and aim to achieve a high fibre eating score of 30 or more on the Fat and Fibre barometer

 Physical activity goal

• Aim to gradually increase the amount of physical activity every day to at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise

By making lifestyle changes such as decreasing fat intake, particularly saturated fat and increasing fibre as well as achieving the physical activity recommendations and weight loss, it has been shown that diabetes can be prevented in people who are at high risk.

Participants in the study were followed up 3 years after the program. None of the participants who reached 4 or 5 of the program goals developed diabetes. A further follow-up study showed that the positive effect of the program lasted at least several years.[2]

How long does a LIFE! program run for?

The program is delivered over 6 sessions, over a period of eight months. The first 5 sessions run fortnightly. The final session takes place eight months after the first to allow participants to put into practice their new skills. Attendance for the entire program is required as each session builds onto the next.

Who offers the LIFE! program?

The LIFE! program is an accredited lifestyle modification program and is delivered by an accredited facilitator team, including; diabetes educator, dietician and nurses. Within the Goulburn Valley, the LIFE! program is delivered by the Goulburn Valley Division of General Practice. The program is funded by the Federal Government (via the Medical Benefits Scheme) and Diabetes Victoria.

 Diabetes class schedule 2010

What is the AUSDRISK tool?

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK) accurately predicts a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes within the next 5 years.

Risk assessment tool

To be eligible for the LIFE! Program, the individual must score 15 or more:

For further information speak to your doctor or contact the Diabetes Team (Faye, Jane or Dale) at Goulburn Valley Division of General Practice on 03) 5831 5399

[1] Tuomilehto J et al., (2001). Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus by changes in lifestyle among subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. New England Journal of Medicine. 344, 1343-1350.

 

[2] Lindstrom J, et al., (2006). Sustained reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle intervention: follow-up of the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. Lancet, 368, 1673-1679.