Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology

Abstract

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is the most common type of diabetes with a prevalence of approximately 4% in Sweden. The disease has a genetic background and in most cases, NIDDM develops slowly through a stage with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Low physical activity, poor dietary habits (high fat, low fibre content), and obesity constitute serious risk factors for NIDDM. The Stockholm diabetes prevention program (SDPP) is implementing a model for community-based intervention of NIDDM in three municipalities. In one of those municipalities the program will focus on increasing physical activity for the community participants. An eight-weeks intervention program was designed to encourage participation in physical activity. The purpose of the campaign was to emphasize the integration of walking into daily routines. The campaign was conducted in a municipality with a population of approximately 33 000 and was promoted throughout residential areas, organizations and local media channels. Leaders for organized walking were recruited as volunteers by advertisement from local media. After a short education in leadership, practice, and first aid the twenty-seven volunteers ran 169 organized walking groups in five residential areas. During eight weeks in Spring 1997 the volunteers recorded 1044 individuals as participants. The study demonstrated that those individuals who participated 1-3 times a week were married women with a good health and regular physical activity. It is concluded that the early adopters in this study are the group who already have good exercise habits.

Keywords

Physical activity; Intervention within community; Diabetes mellitus

Contact

Gunilla Bjärås

Institution

Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology

City

Stockholm

Country

Sweden

E-mail

gunilla.bjaras@varmdo.mail. telia.com

Phone

+46 8 517 762 01

Fax

+46 8 517 762 80