MedEconomics: Diabetics enjoy benefits of exercise.

A motivational exercise scheme helped patients with diabetes lose weight. Caroline Stagg reports.

A pilot exercise referral scheme offering patients individual and proactive support could help diabetes sufferers lose weight and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other diabetic complications.

Although increasing physical activity levels in type-2 diabetic patients improves their overall well-being and health, educating and encouraging these patients to exercise is rarely prioritised.

It is estimated that 60-80 per cent of type-2 diabetic patients do not meet the guidelines of doing a minimum of 30 minutes moderate physical activity five days a week.

Ongoing evaluation

The pilot project, known as DOROTHEA (an acronym of Diabetes On Referral Option To Healthy Exercise for Adults), was developed by Guy's and St Thomas' …