FHCHC’s DPP Intensive Lifestyle Intervention – An Overview

ILI Overview & Intake Procedure

If a Hispanic woman between the ages of 18-55 has had a blood test in the past three months that has rendered her pre-diabetic, and she is a patient at the Fair Haven Community Health Center, she is eligible to participate in the Diabetes Prevention Program’s Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (DPP’s ILI). There are two study tracks: delayed and immediate. Those randomized to participate in the delayed group see their provider every three months for a year, as well as a nutritionist once during that time. Those in the immediate track participate in a 12-week exercise and nutrition program, seeing a provider weekly and having the opportunity to continue participating after the initial 12-weeks. At the end of one year, all delayed and immediate-track ILI participants have an OGTT screening to distinguish any changes in their physical wellbeing. Those in the delayed group can then enter into the immediate track if they choose. Those randomized to participate in the immediate study group begin their weekly nutrition and exercise classes immediately.

Prior to the randomization process, pre-diabetic patients are invited to the clinic for an intake (click here to see the Intake Checklist). There, their labs are confirmed, vitals taken, and they are given the opportunity to join the ILI study (click here to see intake checklist). These intakes are free, and are scheduled by the DPP staff, rendering most of the process outside the clinic’s traditional admission and billing processes. Typically, the appointment takes around 30 minutes, and is conducted by a trained DPP administrator.

The intention of the intake is to determine whether a pre-diabetic patient is interested in participating in the ILI study, and if so, collect all the essential study data to get them started. The consent form solidifies their participation, after which vitals and other medical-related data is collected, and physical activity and nutrition-related questionnaires are filled out. As part of the initial data collection, patients are also given pedometers and a pedometer tracking form, the data from which will indicate the amount of walking each patient does on a typical weekday or weekend. The DPP awards $10 gift certificates to Walmart if they return the pedometers and the pedometer tracking form after a complete week, a strategy that has fueled participation.