Jens Aagaard-Hansen, Ane Høstgaard Bonde, Bjarne Bruun Jensen, Louise Buhl Andersen, Anette Lykke Hindhede and Helle Terkildsen Maindal
The aim of this article is to explore the extent to which educational and behavior change theories were adequately described in studies aiming at postponing or preventing type 2 diabetes among individuals with prediabetes using lifestyle interventions. This is essential in order to design effective interventions for ‘real life’ settings. A number of databases were searched: Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, Cross (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CUCO, BIOSIS), EPPI-Centre: Database of promoting health effectiveness reviews (DoPHER) and EPPI-Centre: The Trials Register of Promoting Health Interventions (TRoPHI). Sixteen randomized controlled trials were selected based on the criteria of prediabetes, defined as impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose and efficacious lifestyle interventions (diet and/or physical activity). Only four trials made explicit reference to use of educational and behavior change theories in the development of the lifestyle interventions. Another five trials provided partial information, whereas the remaining seven did not refer to theories directly or indirectly. In order to allow replicability and comparison, future studies should explicitly describe and/or consider use of educational and behavior change theories in the development of lifestyle interventions.