Potential mechanisms for change in diabetes prevention programs: A systematic review
Authors' conclusion
Few DPP studies investigate why these interventions work. There is no compelling evidence to support any specific MMM in DPPs, and no evidence to suggest that weight loss is what causes benefits. The included studies were of good methodological quality, but tests of mechanisms were rarely pre-registered; 46% of the included studies were drawn from three datasets.
Study context
- Population
- Empirical studies of psychosocial diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) investigating mechanisms, mediators or moderators (MMMs) of the intervention–health relationship; retracted, qualitative or observational studies excluded
- Participants
- 502,257 participants108 studies
- Outcome
- Potential mechanisms for change in DPPs and strength of associations
Methodological detailsnarrative synthesis, pre-registered, 46% of included studies drawn from three datasets, Five biomedical databases searched from inception until 9/2019, Quality assessed with PEDro checklist; outcome reporting bias evaluated vs trial pre-registration
- Narrative synthesis
- Pre-registered
- 46% of included studies drawn from three datasets
- Five biomedical databases searched from inception until 9/2019
- Quality assessed with PEDro checklist; outcome reporting bias evaluated vs trial pre-registration
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Support for MMMs
Studies testing weight/adiposity, weight loss or weight loss intervention as MMMs
30%
Of those, no support or interventions less effective/harmful for fatter people
79%
Original publication
Potential mechanisms for change in diabetes prevention programs: A systematic review. Diabet Med. Published 3 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →