[Measures to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes mellitus].

--The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing, as is the rate of related long-term complications. --Increased body weight and lack of exercise are the major non-genetic factors that are responsible for the increased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. --People predisposed to developing type 2 diabetes mellitus can be identified easily by taking a patient history (e.g. genetic predisposition, gestational diabetes, medication), performing a physical examination (e.g. body-mass index, fat distribution) and laboratory tests (e.g. impaired fasting and post-load blood glucose levels). --Intensive lifestyle modifications reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus by 42-58%. --Drug therapy is less effective than lifestyle modifications in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, the disease course after treatment is discontinued is unknown. --Successful intervention resulting in a sustained effect is expected to have a preventive effect on the long-term complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus.