28 Oct 2009 --- Over 40 percent of American adults are pre-diabetic, a condition that is the forerunner to Type 2 diabetes, the life-threatening disease that impacts more than 23 million people in the U.S. Yet pre-diabetic Americans are generally unaware of their status and health risk.1 Now, ConAgra Foods, one of North America’s leading food makers, is shedding new light on the problem by sharing research that shows a specific type of healthier eating has a measurable impact on pre-diabetic conditions.

In research announced today at the 2009 annual meeting of the Obesity Society, a study of people who ate Healthy Choice meals as part of a healthy lifestyle significantly improved several risk factors associated with pre-diabetes. Participants in the 24-week study significantly lowered their blood glucose and insulin levels and experienced improvements in insulin sensitivity, a measure of how well the body uses insulin. Leading cardiologist Dr. James Rippe, founder and director of the Rippe Lifestyle Institute, led the research team that conducted the study.

“Healthier eating and becoming more physically active are keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle which can delay and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes, a disease that is on the rise in America and currently results in an economic burden estimated to at $132 billion annually,” Rippe said. “These findings are important because they show in a long-term study that Healthy Choice products offer the convenience and nutrition people are seeking to help them promote an improved state of wellness.”

In the study, men and women with health conditions common to many Americans and characteristic of pre-diabetes, such as being overweight and sedentary, followed a plan centered around eating Healthy Choice products every day. Overall portion and calorie control, plus moderate exercise, were emphasized, along with choosing other foods consistent with healthy eating such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and, lean meat.

“These findings are consistent with the results of the large, federally funded Diabetes Prevention Program,” Rippe said. “Our study showed a user-friendly, practical way for individuals at risk for diabetes to significantly lower that risk.”

Participants also became more physically active during the study by starting a simple walking program beginning with 15 minutes three days per week and progressing to 45 minutes four days per week. A control group followed the physical activity program without making changes in their food choices. The group that used Healthy Choice products showed significant improvements compared to the control group for blood glucose and insulin levels and also had a positive change in insulin sensitivity. Insulin is the key hormone the human body uses to regulate blood sugar levels.

“All of this is quite logical, but the trick is making eating healthier more enjoyable and easy,” said Mark Andon, Ph.D., vice president of Nutrition, ConAgra Foods. “Consumers know it’s important to eat right to maintain good health. But the food needs to taste good, and, for many people, it needs to be convenient. We do the work, making food that Americans can easily enjoy in adopting a healthier lifestyle—Healthy Choice meals combine taste, convenience, positive nutrition, and portion control so there’s no tradeoff between eating well and being well.”