This program is for adults who have pre-diabetes or who are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP), a lifestyle intervention program, is designed to help reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the United States by teaching participants behavior modification strategies related to healthy eating, physical activity, weight loss, and stress reduction.

The National DPP is modeled after the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) clinical trial, which demonstrated that overweight adults with impaired glucose tolerance significantly reduced their chances of developing type 2 diabetes through weight loss, dietary improvements, and increased physical activity.  The National DPP was studied in one randomized controlled trial at participating YMCA branches in Indiana; however, this study did not assess the program effects on the development of diabetes.  By 4 to 6 months, program participants had significantly improved total cholesterol levels and lost significantly more weight than nonparticipants. These effects persisted to the 12-month follow-up. The effect of the National DPP from 2012 to 2016 was examined through a registry of data collected from 14,747 adults who enrolled in the program. This study found that 35% of participants achieved the goal of a 5% weight loss and 41.8% met the physical activity goal of 150 minutes/week. These findings suggest the program may be effective for weight loss and increasing physical activity behavior; however, because a control group was not included, a randomized controlled trial is needed to understand the effectiveness of the program.

The National DPP is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led lifestyle intervention program that is offered by non-profit organizations, worksites, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, health care facilities, and fitness/wellness centers. The program seeks to support participants in achieving and maintaining a 5%-7% loss of body weight and a gradual increase to 150 minutes of physical activity per week.  This program is delivered by trained lifestyle coaches to small groups, and participants attend weekly sessions that disseminate information and teach behavior modification strategies to achieve the following:

• Learn to eat healthy;
• Increase physical activity;
• Lose weight;
• Reduce stress;
• Understand and use coping skills; and
• Make positive lifestyle changes.

Upon completion of the core sessions, participants attend monthly maintenance sessions.

A new curriculum, PreventT2, is available; however, it has not been evaluated. This curriculum is based on the original 2002 DPP trial but includes new topics and materials and restructured modules.  The original curriculum is still available for use.  Please visit the website listed in the Cost section for more information.

The National DPP has been available since 2010 and is offered at a variety of sites throughout the United States.  More than 1,600 lifestyle coaches have been trained in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. From 2012 to 2016, 35,844 adults aged 18 and over enrolled in the program across 435 CDC recognized organizations.

Lifestyle coaches must be trained by 1 of 11 recognized organizations. The recommended minimum length of formal training for new coaches is at least 12 hours or two days. Recognized organizations are responsible for the ongoing support and continued training of coaches. Program Coordinators are responsible for overall program implementation and they must also complete the same formal training as coaches. This allows program coordinators to mentor coaches and serve as back-up coaches as needed. Additional new or refresher training for experienced coaches is highly recommended, since program evaluation findings have demonstrated that well trained and highly motivated coaches have a significant impact on participant outcomes. All coaches should receive additional training each time the CDC revises the National DPP Standards, and the CDC will offer such training at no cost to recognized organizations. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/staffing-training.htm

Considerations for implementing this program include ensuring lifestyle coaches have suitable backgrounds and receive training, understanding funding may need to be obtained to cover the coaches and program coordinators' wages and advertisements, locating time and space for program sessions, and recruiting eligible participants.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing the National DPP, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

The 12-month program offers 16-weekly core sessions followed by 6-monthly maintenance sessions.  Each session is 60 to 90 minutes.

Implementation costs include curricular materials, which are free online at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/lifestyle-program/curriculum.html  
Additional costs are needed to pay program staffing that include a program coordinator, lifestyle coach, and data preparer to collect and submit data to the CDC. Some larger programs may have more than one coach and coordinator.

To move the National DPP to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact your local participating site by visiting https://nccd.cdc.gov/DDT_DPRP/Registry.aspx or contact the CDC by mail 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, phone 1-800-232-4636, email cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or visit https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form

www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/about/index.html