New research findings show targeted lifestyle messages have significant success in potentially lowering the progression to Type 2 diabetes among Maori.

The Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy Team has released results from a programme that targeted those at high risk of diabetes. This included those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), precursors to type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented or delayed by intensive lifestyle changes.

The intervention included personal support delivered by Maori Community Health Workers (MCHWs) and focused on 12 key lifestyle messages. These messages were focused around practical ways of increasing physical activity and a diet that increased protein and reduced fat, sugar and portion sizes.

While the MCHWs did not make weight loss the focus of the programme, the results show significant weight loss.

One of the study's authors, AUT University's Professor Elaine Rush, says the extent of the programme's success was unexpected.

"It shows community-wide prevention programmes are feasible among Maori and likely to result in significant reductions in the incidence of diabetes," she says.

Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease and early death. It is a major public health problem among Maori and has been identified at the local, regional and national level.

Professor Rush and the other paper's authors, David Simmons from the Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge University Hospital’s NHS Foundation trust (previously at Waikato Hospital); and Nic Crook from Lakes District Health Board, are part of the Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy launched in 2003. The strategy has since been put on hold due to a lack of funding.

“This was a comprehensive intervention developed very carefully by Maori and researchers working closely together,” says Simmons, chief investigator.

Professor Rush says the findings show the strategy was on track to potentially slowing, or turning around, the diabetes epidemic.

"We knew that it was very likely that things would take longer than the three years funded, but we saw the goal of putting diabetes prevention services into place as crucial for Maori and for New Zealand," she says.

Co-chair of the stewardship committee, Timi Te Heuheu agrees the strategy is a long-term one.

“The kaupapa of Te Wai o Rona is to ensure the valuable information and learning from the programme is used to support actions which will have long term benefits for the Maori community and the future health of all New Zealand," he says.

The resources used in the intervention programme are available to the public here under Te Wai o Rona. Included are the 12 key messages and supporting materials for lifestyle change, including maps of health food and physical activity outlets, and publications arising from the valuable information gained from this project.