UCLA

Objective

To investigate whether older veterans enrolled in two diabetes prevention programs (DPPs) in the Veterans Health Administration will have similar weight loss as younger veterans.

Research design and methods

Post hoc analysis of data from two prospective, pragmatic, nonrandomized studies of behavioral weight management interventions that were delivered in-person (Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]-DPP) or online (Online-DPP), comparing participation and weight loss between participants aged ≥65 years (N = 120) vs. <65 years (N = 258).

Results

Over 70% of participants in both age groups completed eight or more sessions within 6 months; a higher proportion completed eight or more sessions in the Online-DPP intervention than in the VA-DPP intervention (P < 0.05). The overall weight changes at 6 and 12 months were similar across the two age groups: ∼5 kg or 5% weight loss compared with baseline (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

DPPs delivered in person or online can be similarly effective in older and younger veterans. Online programs may be an important means to improve the reach of DPPs for older adults.