The Value of the Indian Diabetes Risk Score
as a Tool for Reducing the Risk of Diabetes
among Indian Medical Students
718-720
Correspondence
Dr. Prabha Adhikari M.R., Professor of Medicine
Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Attavar
Mangalore 575001, India.
Email: adhikari_pmr@yahoo.com
Fax: 0824-2443203
Mobile: 9880991290
Introduction: Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP), LOOK AHEAD trial, Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme have clearly established the benefits of lifestyle interventions coupled with education in reducing diabetes and CVD risk We conducted a study on the effect MDRF-Indian Diabetes Risk Score as a motivational tool for lifestyle change with special reference to physical activity and caloric intake among medical students.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 150 medical students who were given their IDRS scores and laboratory values of Fasting plasm glucose and fasting lipid profile. IDRS was recalculated after 6 months. Change in total caloric intake, duration of exercise, pedometer counts and waist circumferencewere recorded before and after giving them their lab reports and risk score.
Results: After conveying the IDRS and lab reports, there was a significant decline in IDRS (from 36+ 10 to 31.2 + 11), waist circumference (85.4 + 7.4 cm to 84.1 + 7.2), caloric intake (from 1994 + 154 calories to 1817 + 152 ), physical inactivity score in IDRS (from 26 + 4.7 to 21 + 3.6) with increase in pedometer counts from 4628 + 432 to 9410 + 264.
Conclusion: Calculating diabetes risk by using MDRF-IDRS improved physical activity, decreased caloric intake and waist circumference significantly among medical students and is a useful motivational tool for lifestyle change.