Kirsten J. Coppell

Nutritional intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes who are hyperglycaemic despite optimised drug treatment—Lifestyle Over and Above Drugs in Diabetes (LOADD) study: randomised controlled trial

Objective To determine the extent to which intensive dietary intervention can influence glycaemic control and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes who are hyperglycaemic despite optimised drug treatment. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Dunedin, New Zealand. Participants 93 participants aged less than 70 years with type 2 diabetes and a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of more than 7% despite optimised drug treatments plus at least two of overweight or obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. Intervention Intensive individualised dietary advice (according to the nutritional recommendations of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) for six months; both the intervention and control participants continued with their usual medical surveillance. Main outcome measures HbA1c was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included measures of adiposity, blood pressure, and lipid profile. Results After adjustment for age, sex, and baseline measurements, the difference in HbA1c between the intervention and control groups at six months (−0.4%, 95% confidence interval −0.7% to −0.1%) was highly statistically significant (P=0.007), as were the decreases in weight (−1.3 kg, −2.4 to −0.1 kg; P=0.032), body mass index (−0.5, −0.9 to −0.1; P=0.026), and waist circumference (−1.6 cm, −2.7 to −0.5 cm; P=0.005). A decrease in saturated fat (−1.9% total energy, −3.3% to −0.6%; P=0.006) and an increase in protein (1.6% total energy, 0.04% to 3.1%; P=0.045) in the intervention group were the most striking differences in nutritional intake between the two groups. Conclusions Intensive dietary advice has the potential to appreciably improve glycaemic control and anthropometric measures in patients with type 2 diabetes and unsatisfactory HbA1c despite optimised hypoglycaemic drug treatment. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT00124553.

Glycaemic control of Type 1 diabetes in clinical practice early in the 21st century: an international comparison

Improving glycaemic control in people with Type 1 diabetes is known to reduce complications. Our aim was to compare glycaemic control among people with Type 1 diabetes using data gathered in regional or national registries.

Two-year results from a community-wide diabetes prevention intervention in a high risk indigenous community: the Ngati and Healthy project.

We describe changes in markers and prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders following a 2-year community-wide intervention aimed at reducing insulin resistance (IR) prevalence in a high risk community. Surveys were undertaken before and 2 years after implementation of a community developed and led diabetes prevention program. Proportions and means were calculated and compared by sex and age groups: 25-49 years and 50+ years. A process evaluation contributed to interpretation of results. Response rates were around 50% and demographic characteristics similar in both surveys. Overall, IR prevalence decreased markedly from 35.5% to 25.4% (p=0.003). Most changes were observed amongst 25-49 years old women for whom there was a significant change in prevalences of IR and glucose metabolism disorders (p=0.015), largely due to reduced IR prevalence (38.2-25.6%). In 2006, 60.3% achieved minimum recommended exercise levels and 65.4% ate wholegrain bread compared with 45.1% (p=0.002) and 42.2% (p=0.044), respectively, in 2003. Participation in a community diabetes prevention intervention appeared to reduce IR prevalence after 2 years in those with the highest level of participation and most marked lifestyle changes.

Body mass index and waist circumference cutoffs to define obesity in indigenous New Zealanders

BACKGROUND The suggestion that body mass index (BMI) cutoffs to define obesity should differ in persons of Polynesian descent compared with Europeans is based principally on the observation that persons of Polynesian descent have a relatively higher proportion of lean body mass for a given BMI. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to determine whether the relation between BMI, waist circumference, and metabolic comorbidity differs in the 2 major ethnic groups in New Zealand and to ascertain whether ethnicity-specific BMI and waist circumference cutoffs for obesity are justified for Māori (indigenous New Zealanders). DESIGN Subjects included a convenience sample of 1539 men and women aged 17-82 y (47% Māori, 53% white) with measures of BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting insulin, glucose, and lipids. The sensitivity and specificity of BMI (in kg/m(2); 30 and 32), waist circumference (80 and 88 cm in women, 94 and 102 cm in men), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; > or =0.6) in relation to insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, and the metabolic syndrome were determined. Receiver operating characteristic curves and areas under the curve (AUCs) were also calculated. RESULTS No ethnic or sex differences between AUCs were observed for BMI, waist circumference, or WHtR, which showed that these anthropometric measures perform similarly in Māori and European men and women and correctly discriminate between those with and without insulin resistance or the metabolic syndrome 79-87% of the time. Any increase in specificity from a higher BMI cutoff of 32 in Māori was offset by appreciable reductions in sensitivity. CONCLUSION These findings argue against having different BMI or waist circumference cutoffs for people of Polynesian descent.

Targeting Sleep, Food, and Activity in Infants for Obesity Prevention: An RCT

An RCT comparing effects of a conventional food and activity intervention versus a sleep behavior intervention on infant growth from birth to 2 years. OBJECTIVE: The few existing early-life obesity prevention initiatives have concentrated on nutrition and physical activity, with little examination of sleep. METHODS: This community-based, randomized controlled trial allocated 802 pregnant women (≥16 years, <34 weeks’ gestation) to: control, FAB (food, activity, and breastfeeding), sleep, or combination (both interventions) groups. All groups received standard well-child care. FAB participants received additional support (8 contacts) promoting breastfeeding, healthy eating, and physical activity (antenatal–18 months). Sleep participants received 2 sessions (antenatal, 3 weeks) targeting prevention of sleep problems, as well as a sleep treatment program if requested (6–24 months). Combination participants received both interventions (9 contacts). BMI was measured at 24 months by researchers blinded to group allocation, and secondary outcomes (diet, physical activity, sleep) were assessed by using a questionnaire or accelerometry at multiple time points. RESULTS: At 2 years, 686 women remained in the study (86%). No significant intervention effect was observed for BMI at 24 months (P = .086), but there was an overall group effect for the prevalence of obesity (P = .027). Exploratory analyses found a protective effect for obesity among those receiving the “sleep intervention” (sleep and combination compared with FAB and control: odds ratio, 0.54 [95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.82]). No effect was observed for the “FAB intervention” (FAB and combination compared with sleep and control: odds ratio, 1.20 [95% confidence interval, 0.80–1.81]). CONCLUSIONS: A well-developed food and activity intervention did not seem to affect children’s weight status. However, further research on more intensive or longer running sleep interventions is warranted.

A structured, group-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) programme for people, families and whanau with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in New Zealand: An observational study

BACKGROUND Group-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) programmes have been shown to be effective. A programme tailored for the unique social and ethnic environment of New Zealand (NZ) was developed using concepts from internationally developed programmes. AIM To assess the effectiveness of a 6 week New Zealand specific DSME programme. METHODS In this observational study people with type 2 diabetes (aged 18-80 years) from diverse cultural backgrounds were recruited from primary care. Seventeen groups of six education sessions were run. Clinical data were collected from primary care at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months. Participants also completed a self-administered questionnaire on diabetes knowledge, and self-management behaviours. RESULTS 107 participants, mean age 56.7±11.3 years and mean duration of diabetes 7.5±7 years (NZ European (44%), Maori (24%), Pacific (16%) and Indian (16%)), were enrolled. Confidence in self-managing diabetes, regular examination of feet, physical activity levels and smoking rates all improved. Glycaemic control improved between baseline and 6 months (HbA1C 64.9±20.0 mmol/mol to 59.9±13.9 mmol/mol (p<0.05) (baseline 8.07%±1.80, 6 months 7.62%±1.25)), but was no different to baseline at 9 months. Systolic BP reduced from 131.9±16.4 to 127.4±18.2 mmHg (p<0.05) at 6 months, but increased to baseline levels by 9 months. Diastolic BP, triglycerides and urine microalbumin:creatinine ratio were significantly reduced at 3, 6 and 9 months. CONCLUSION A group-based DSME programme designed specifically for the NZ population was effective at improving aspects of diabetes care at 6 months. The attenuation of these improvements after 6 months suggests a refresher course at that time may be beneficial.

Ngāti and healthy: translating diabetes prevention evidence into community action

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major health issue in New Zealand Māori. Clinical trials have demonstrated potential for the prevention of T2DM, but whether community public health programmes aiming to prevent diabetes are effective is untested. Objective: To describe the planning and design of an intervention aiming to translate T2DM prevention clinical trial evidence into a community-wide population health intervention in a high risk predominantly Māori community. Approach: Community concerns about the diabetes burden were heard by the local diabetes nurse, herself a tribal member, and discussed with a locally raised academic. Project planning ensued. The intervention and its evaluation were designed using a participatory community development model. The planned intervention had three components: community-wide health promotion initiatives conveying healthy lifestyle messages, community education and monitoring for identified high-risk individuals and their extended families, and a structural strategy aimed at adapting local environments to support lifestyle changes. The evaluation plan involved interrupted time series surveys coupled with formative and process evaluations rather than a randomised control trial design. Discussion: Consulting communities, validating community concerns and prioritising cultural and ethical issues were key steps. Time spent developing good relationships amongst the health provider and academic research team members at the outset proved invaluable, as the team were united in addressing the project planning and implementation challenges, such as funding obstacles that arose because of our ethically and culturally appropriate non-randomised control trial evaluation design. The pre-intervention survey demonstrated high rates of diabetes (13%), insulin resistance (33%) and risk factors, and provided evidence for positive, as opposed to negative, lifestyle intervention messages. Conclusion: Community-wide lifestyle interventions have the potential to reduce rates of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases in high-risk communities, but require a high level of commitment from the health sector and buy-in from the community. Adequate commitment, leadership, planning and resources are essential.

Obesity and the extent of liver damage among adult New Zealanders: findings from a national survey

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), defined as excessive fat accumulation in hepatocytes when no other pathologic causes are present, is an increasingly common obesity‐related disorder. We sought to describe the prevalence of elevated liver enzymes, a marker of liver damage, among New Zealand adults, and high‐risk subgroups including those with an elevated body mass index and those with pre‐diabetes or diabetes, to gain a better understanding of the burden of liver disease.

Capture-recapture using multiple data sources: estimating the prevalence of diabetes.

Objective: To examine the potential for using multiple list sources and capture‐recapture methods for estimating the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy screening in New Zealand requires improvement: results from a multi‐centre audit

Objective: To determine whether diabetic retinal screening services and retinopathy referral centres in New Zealand meet the national guidelines for referral and assessment of screen detected moderate retinal and mild macular diabetic eye disease.