Effectiveness of Multifaceted Lifestyle Interventions in Prediabetic Adults: A Field Study in an Urban Slum Population of Pune, India.

Introduction Adults with diabetes have an increased risk of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke than those without diabetes. Diagnosing prediabetes at an early stage can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes through simple interventions such as lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle modifications such as weight loss combined with regular physical exercise and a healthy diet can help delay or prevent the progression of diabetes. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes among the urban slum population and to assess the effect of lifestyle modifications on blood sugar levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile among the participants. Methods A quasi-experimental field study was conducted among the urban slum population. Participants were randomly selected from previous health screening data. Pre-intervention blood evaluations were performed, and those who fulfilled the criteria were enrolled for interventions. The follow-up period lasted three months and included telephonic and in-person meetings for support and motivation. All variables were reevaluated at the end of the follow-up period. Results Out of 34 participants included in the study, 20 completed the three-month follow-up. Statistically significant changes were observed after three months of intervention in weight, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, BMI, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, decreases in systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were not statistically significant. Conclusion The study revealed that lifestyle intervention programs promoting healthy diets, physical activity, and body weight reduction can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes among high-risk populations. The effectiveness of interventions across community settings depends on delivery formats, implementers, and the level of motivation of participants.