A program to prevent Type 2 Diabetes through diet and exercise

Small Steps for Big Changes: Implementing an Evidence-Based Diabetes Prevention Program Into Diverse Urban Communities

Observational University of British Columbia · NCT06440395

This study is testing a program that helps people lower their chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes by teaching them about healthy eating and exercise.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment4400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of British Columbia Academic / other
Locations12 sites (Edmonton, Alberta and 11 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06440395 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Small Steps for Big Changes (SSBC) is an observational program aimed at reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) through diet and exercise counseling. Conducted in partnership with YMCAs across 8 provinces in Canada, the study evaluates both the implementation and effectiveness of the SSBC program. It involves training staff, enrolling patients, and measuring various health outcomes such as blood glucose levels, weight, and exercise habits over a two-year period. The program consists of six sessions delivered over four weeks, focusing on enhancing participants' self-regulatory skills for healthier lifestyle choices.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are community-dwelling adults aged 18 and older with prediabetes or those in remission from Type 2 Diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients currently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and having an HbA1c of 6.5% or greater will not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly lower the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes among at-risk individuals.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar behavioral interventions for diabetes prevention, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

* Community-dwelling adults aged 18 years or older
* able to read and speak English
* has prediabetes assessed by one of the following means: (a) physician-diagnosed prediabetes, (b) HbA1c values between 5.7 - 6.4% (American Diabetes Association, 2012), (c) an American Diabetes Association risk questionnaire score indicating increased risk (\>5)
* Individuals who have previously been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but who are in remission (defined as achieving glycated hemoglobin (A1C) of \< 6.4% without any diabetes-related medications for a minimum of 3 months) will be eligible to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Patients currently diagnosed type 2 diabetes with an HbA1c of 6.5% or greater.

Organizational partners

Inclusion criteria:

\- Senior leadership and/or management of our Canadian YMCA delivery partner organizations

Exclusion criteria: N/A

Site leads/managers

Inclusion criteria:

\- YMCA staff who manage/coordinate programs (e.g., general manager of health programs) for each site willing to act as SSBC site lead champion.

Exclusion criteria: N/A

Coaches

Inclusion criteria:

Site staff certified as SSBC coaches to deliver the program.

Exclusion criteria: N/A

Where this trial is running

Edmonton, Alberta and 11 other locations

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PreDiabetesImplementation ScienceExercise BehaviourDiet BehaviourAdherenceHealth Behaviour Change
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.