Type II diabetes affects approximately 9% of the US population, and 500,000 new cases are reported every year in the United States. Over a six year period (from 1997 to 2003), the incidence of diabetes increased an astounding 41% with the largest increase seen among obese individuals (LS Geiss et al. Changes in incidence of diabetes in US adults. American Journal of Preventative Medicine. 30:371-377, 2006).

A large clinical trial funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) identified a group of people who were at risk for developing Type II diabetes (their blood sugar levels were almost at the level which classifies them as a Type 2 Diabetic –often referred to as pre-diabetics.) This group was asked to lose weight and to walk 30 minutes/day, five days/week. The study found a 58% reduction in the chances of actually getting Type 2 Diabetes for participants who adhered to this guideline. The NIH actually stopped the trial early so that those pre-diabetics who were not following this protocol (the control group, who did not receive this lifestyle intervention) could benefit from the remarkable effects of the weight and exercise guidelines. (Diabetes Prevention Program Group, New England Journal of Medicine 346: 393-403, 2002)