Diabetes prevention interventions have three types

The preventive measures aimed at preventing diabetes can be divided into three types, focus on groups with a rising risk of diabetes:

Universal prevention is aimed at the general population and specific groups such as youth.
Selective prevention is aimed at vulnerable people such as (severe) obesity, which run an increased risk of diabetes.
Indicated prevention is aimed at people with prediabetes who are not yet diagnosed diabetes.
Universal prevention aimed at the general population and healthy lifestyle

At Universal prevention refers to interventions aimed at preventing diabetes by promoting a healthy lifestyle in the general population. This promotion of a healthy lifestyle focuses on the prevention of obesity or weight reduction in all existing overweight. Obesity Interventions usually consist of a combination of increasing physical activity and improving diet.

There are several initiatives in the Netherlands in promoting a healthy lifestyle for different age groups and different settings (Hamberg-van Reenen et al, 2008). A known area targeted intervention from the Netherlands who are focused on the general population is “Heartbeat Limburg. In this intervention, local working groups set up health promotion activities in the region to organize (pass and nutrition interventions at the neighborhood level)

Prevention focused on risk factors of diabetes

Prevention of diabetes is aimed at preventing diabetes by addressing risk factors of diabetes. The main risk factors are overweight, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption indicate a slightly increased risk of diabetes. There are many initiatives that focus on a healthy lifestyle. The range of interventions specifically aimed at preventing diabetes is very limited. These initiatives are mainly focused on high risk groups such as people with prediabetes, those with a high risk of heart disease or overweight people.

For more information about the range of interventions focused on a healthy lifestyle:

• Prevention aimed at overweight
• Prevention focused on nutrition
• Prevention focused on physical activity