Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Change Program on Insulin Resistance in Yaquis Indigenous Populations in Sonora, Mexico: PREVISY

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the healthy lifestyle promotion program for Yaquis (PREVISY) on insulin resistance in the short- and medium-term periods in adults who are overweight/obese and have an increased risk for diabetes.

Methods: Using a translational research design, an intervention program was implemented in a sample of 93 Yaqui adult subjects. The effectiveness of PREVISY was evaluated by comparing the levels of Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and the Triglycerides-Glucose Index (TyG index) at 6 and 12 months using a paired t-test.

Results: In the subjects who completed the program, a decrease in the HOMA-IR index (∆=-0.91 and ∆=-1.29, p ≤ 0.05) and the TyG index (∆=-0.24 y ∆=-0.20, p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the short- and medium-term period, respectively. Subjects with body weight loss ≥ 10% showed decreased levels of HOMA-IR (∆=-3.32 and ∆=-4.89, p ≤ 0.05) and the TyG index (∆=-0.80 and ∆=-0.60, p ≤ 0.05) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. A stronger benefit of the program was found in subjects with obesity (vs. overweight) and with high and very high risk of diabetes (vs. moderate risk) in IR markers (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: The PREVISY program demonstrated its effectiveness in the improvement of some markers of insulin resistance in Yaqui adults at risk of diabetes.