The Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program (CDPP) is a clinical study that aims to prevent or delay the start of type 2 diabetes in Canadians. The risk of type 2 diabetes is increasing among Canadians and the disease puts a major burden on individuals and the health care system.

For Canadians, the CDPP is modeled, in part, after a similar program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. The U.S. program was based on a landmark study showing that people at risk for type 2 diabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle management program can cut their future risk for developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent (71 percent for people over 60 years old).

The Canadian study plans to enroll 3,850 adults across all areas of Canada over the next four years. Specifically, this program will test if individualized one-on-one lifestyle health coaching provided via the telephone along with online educational resources are effective in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes in Canadians.

Clinical studies are a way to learn about and develop new or improved treatments and medications for diseases and conditions. This study will examine behavioral interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes – no medications or changes to your existing medications will be introduced as part of this study. In Canada, there are strict rules and guidelines for designing and conducting clinical studies and Health Canada monitors them very closely.

A partnership between highly respected public and private organizations has been created to design, implement, manage and evaluate this program. Participating organizations include:

• LMC Healthcare
• Diabetes Canada
• INTERVENT International
• The Public Health Agency of Canada
• Dynacare
• mdBriefcase
• McMaster University

All participants must complete a screening to determine their eligibility. There are two groups of people who are eligible for this program:

• Those age 18 to 74 who are deemed at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes by scoring 33 or above on the CanRisk* questionnaire
• Those who have been diagnosed with prediabetes (i.e. A1C value of 6.0 to 6.4 percent (A1C is a measure of your average three-month blood sugar level) and/or fasting blood sugar of 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L)

Participants must have access to phone and internet via their home, work, friend’s home, relative’s home, public library, or other location.

People who have already been diagnosed with diabetes are not eligible to participate in this program. There are also additional criteria that could exclude someone from participating, such as pregnancy or certain other conditions.

*Anyone age 18 to 74 years is welcome to take the test to find out his or her risk of developing type 2 diabetes. To take the test and find out your risk score, click here.

It is being offered to particpants in major cities across the country (listed here) and Winnipeg and will be expanding to more locations across the country soon.

If you enroll in the study, you will follow a structured program of healthy eating and physical activity for a period of about one year. There are no clinical treatments or medications being tested as part of the program; it is purely a lifestyle intervention. Except for measurements (weight, waist measurement and blood test) at the beginning, after six months and at the end of the program (you may also be asked to complete these measures half way though the program), no other physical exams or tests are required as part of the program. You will continue to take your usual medications as directed by your health care provider.

During the one-year program, you will work one-on-one with a professional health coach to make lifestyle changes to improve your health and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Up to 22 private and confidential coaching sessions will be conducted over the phone at times that are convenient for you (daytime and evening appointments are available). A major advantage of this program is that you don’t have to travel to a clinic to participate in the coaching sessions. You should be able to use a computer or smartphone to access your program materials and tools via the Internet.

Because the program is part of a clinical study, you will be required to complete baseline and follow-up assessments, including several questionnaires and measurements, so that the program’s effectiveness can be evaluated. More information about the specific assessments will be provided before you agree to participate. By taking the time to complete all of the assessments, you will gain useful information while making an important scientific contribution to Canadian health care.

Yes. In Canada, health information must be secured and held confidential by law . For more information about those requirements, click here

Your participation in the program is completely voluntary. You will review and accept a privacy policy, service agreement and informed consent before beginning the program. Should you have any concerns about the program or what you are asked to do, please speak to your health coach, an LMC manager at prevention@lmc.ca or the Research Ethics Board, which can be contacted by phone at 1-866-449-8591 or by email at subjectinquiries@irbservices.com.

No. The program, including measurements and assessments, is at no cost to you. You will never be asked for credit card or payment information.

CDPP is a personalized, lifestyle management program that empowers you to lead a healthier life and may reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes. Your personal health coach will guide and support you through this program in a step-by-step manner. Together with your coach, you will set action goals, develop plans and actively engage in trying new healthy habits that are tailored to your needs, interests and personal circumstances. Between coaching sessions, you will be provided with online educational materials to complete and apply to your everyday life. Your health coach will help you be accountable for achieving the goals that are set. You will report your current weight, waist measurement and minutes of aerobic physical activity in the past week.

During the first three months of the program, you’ll meet with your health coach weekly. During months 4 through 12, you’ll have monthly coaching sessions. All coaching calls are via telephone appointments. You should keep all of your coaching appointments. During your first two sessions with your personal health coach, you will get to know each other, review the results of your baseline assessments and establish your personal wellness vision. These sessions are longer than other sessions and will require approximately 30 minutes. Other sessions will require 15 minutes.

The program gives you access to the following, all at no charge:

• Twenty-two (22) private telephone sessions with a personal health coach at times that are convenient for you
• Access to various health and wellness resources via the online program platform:
  • Educational modules covering healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, stress management and smoking cessation, if needed
  • Audio versions of the education modules
  • Personalized meal and exercise plans
  • Tools to track your eating, exercise and stress
  • Healthy recipes
  • Fun challenges and incentives, including drawings for prizes
• Monthly webinars on topics to support and expand upon what you learn in your coaching sessions

No, you don’t have to go to a gym. You will work with your personal health coach to develop and implement a personal exercise plan that is safe and effective and that suits your needs and preferences. The only thing you’ll need is a good pair of shoes for physical activity.

CDPP health coaches are specially trained health care professionals who have completed a minimum of a university degree in science. The CDPP health coaches may also include certified diabetes educators (CDEs) and registered dietitians (RDs). All CDPP health coaches have experience in helping people make lifestyle changes, especially in the areas of healthy eating and exercise. In addition to their university education, CDPP health coaches have completed at least 100 hours of training specific to this program and health coaching principles.

While results will vary from participant to participant, if you follow the program guidelines, you may experience the following improvements in your lifestyle and health:

• Loss of at least five percent of initial weight, if you are overweight
• Reduced waist circumference, if you tend to store excess fat in your abdomen
• Reduced or maintained blood sugar levels into a normal range
• Participation in a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity
• Ability to follow a meal plan that provides nutrients for good health and energy for maintaining a healthy weight
• Increased knowledge about healthy living habits

The overall goal of the program is to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by helping you to develop and practice sustainable healthy habits. In addition to reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes, practicing the lifestyle habits that you learn in this program may reduce your risk for other chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer, and improve your overall well-being.

If you were referred to this program by your doctor, you still must go through the appropriate screening steps to confirm your eligibility.

Once you are enrolled you are encouraged to tell your doctor about your participation in the CDPP and share copies of the reports you receive as part of the program. He or she is likely to be very supportive of your participation in this program and will be interested in following your progress. Your doctor remains in control of all aspects of your medical care. You should always follow your doctor’s advice.

First, determine your eligibility by completing the General Assessment questionnaire, click here. If you are eligible for the program, you will be directed to the CDPP portal.

• You’ll accept an online service agreement, create a CDPP portal account, and then complete an online health assessment.
• In addition to completing your online assessments, you will obtain baseline measurements: weight, height, waist measurement and a blood test to determine your A1C and fasting blood sugar.
  These measurements will be collected via one of two methods using a physical measurement protocol.
  • Performed by a health care professional during a home visit that you will schedule at your convenience.
  • Blood measures performed by a health care professional at a laboratory, and later you will weigh and measure yourself using a scale and measuring tape. Your measures will be verified by providing a photograph of the scale and measuring tape result, or a live interaction over secure videoconferencing with study staff.
• After completing your baseline measurements, you may enroll and schedule your first telephone appointment with your health coach. Immediately upon scheduling your coaching appointment, you will receive two modules:
  • “Preparing for the CDPP” explains the online baseline assessments and consent forms that you’ll need to complete before beginning your coaching program. These assessments will help your health coach individualize your program.
  • The “Welcome” module describes the coaching process in more detail and provides information about how people make important changes in their lifestyle. You’ll begin to think about a new level of wellness that you can achieve in the future.

If you need assistance in completing the baseline assessments, you may call 855-610-3060 to schedule an appointment with a customer care representative who will answer your questions and help you get started.

Important: You will have four weeks to complete the baseline questionnaires and measurements. If you do not complete all of the baseline assessments, including measurements, in the four-week period, you will not be able to continue in the program until you do.

Yes. After six months, your weight and waist measurements and blood test will be repeated at your home. Everyone will complete a brief online follow-up evaluation similar to the health assessment that you completed at baseline. A follow-up progress report will be provided. You also will be invited to complete a survey to assess your satisfaction with the program.

After about 12 months in the program, you will be asked to repeat the online baseline questionnaires and a follow-up evaluation and measurements, including a blood test at your home. You will also meet with your coach one final time for about 45 minutes to review your overall progress in the program and set personal goals for continuing your healthy lifestyle habits in the future. You will be invited to complete another survey to assess your satisfaction with the program. You may also be contacted by phone for 30 minutes to be asked specific questions about your experience in the program. Answering the telephone survey questions is completely voluntary.

A group of 452 participants will be asked to do an additional follow-up evaluation six months after completing their program (18 months after baseline). If you are selected as part of this group, you will repeat the measurements at your home.

If you have prediabetes or are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, visit your health care provider and ask him or her about steps you can take to reduce your risk. Be sure you know the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and plan to have your blood sugar measured every six to 12 months. Many people with risk factors, especially those with prediabetes, go on to develop type 2 diabetes in the future. Type 2 diabetes is just as serious as type 1 diabetes and should not be taken lightly. Unlike type 1 diabetes, however, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented, so take steps today to reduce your risk. Resources are also available from Diabetes Canada and INTERVENT.

CDPP is managed by LMC Healthcare, Canada's largest specialist provider in diabetes and endocrinology. The LMC diabetes education team is comprised of certified diabetes educators (CDEs) with over 15 years of experience. The LMC team has the knowledge, resources and expertise to help improve the health of those living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes across the country.

Founded in 1997, INTERVENT is a physician-led global health management company that is dedicated to optimizing the health of as many people as possible by offering affordable and cost-effective access to credible, evidence-based lifestyle management programs and chronic disease risk reduction services.