T2D prevention by physical activity or diet or both proved cost-effective according to accepted thresholds , except for five inconclusive studies , three on diabetes prevention and two on obesity control .
This confirms that lifestyle interventions for the primary prevention of diabetes are cost-effective .
To summarize key findings of economic evaluations of lifestyle interventions for the primary prevention of  type 2 diabetes ( T2D ) in high-risk subjects .
Economic evaluation of a lifestyle intervention in primary care to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases: a randomized controlled trial
Background Cost-effectiveness studies of lifestyle interventions in people at risk for lifestyle-related diseases , addressing ‘ real-world ’ implementation , are needed . This study examines the cost-effectiveness of a primary care intervention from a societal perspective , compared with provision of health brochures , alongside a r and omized controlled trial . Methods Adults aged 30 - 50 years , at risk of type 2 diabetes ( T2DM ) and /or cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) , were recruited from twelve general practice s in The Netherl and s. They were r and omized to the intervention ( n = 314 ) or control group ( n = 308 ) . The intervention consisted of up to six face-to-face counseling sessions with a trained practice nurse , followed by three-monthly sessions by phone . Costs were collected using three-monthly retrospective question naires . Quality of life was measured with the EuroQol-5D-3L , at baseline , 6 , 12 and 24 months . Nine-year risk of developing T2DM and ten-year risk of CVD mortality were estimated using the ARIC and SCORE formulae , respectively , based on measurements at baseline and 24 months while applying a fixed age of 60 years at both time points . Results Small , statistically non-significant differences in effects were found between the intervention and control group with regard to risk scores and Quality Adjusted Life Years ( QALYs ) gained . The mean difference in costs between the intervention and control group was € -866 ( 95 % confidence interval -2372 ; 370 ) . The probability that the intervention was cost-effective varied from 93 % at € 8000/QALY to 88 % at € 80,000/QALY . Conclusion A primary care lifestyle intervention aim ed at adults at increased risk of T2DM and /or CVD  could result in cost savings over a two-year period . However , due to method ological uncertainty no advice can be given regarding the implementation of the intervention in Dutch general practice s . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N59358434
T2D prevention by physical activity or diet or both proved cost-effective according to accepted thresholds , except for five inconclusive studies , three on diabetes prevention and two on obesity control .
This confirms that lifestyle interventions for the primary prevention of diabetes are cost-effective .
To summarize key findings of economic evaluations of lifestyle interventions for the primary prevention of  type 2 diabetes ( T2D ) in high-risk subjects .