Project 459768

Lifestyle interventions consisting of physical activity and weight loss can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in people who have earlier stages of disease (known as prediabetes). While these interventions have been tested in randomized controlled trials, they have not proven to be feasible to deliver in primary care settings. Furthermore, those who enroll in these programs often find it unsustainable. Park prescriptions (whereby a health care provider gives a written recommendation for a person to visit a park or trail) are a potential solution within the growing field of 'social' prescribing. Our international team of researchers, health care professionals, knowledge users, urban planners, and community organizations will evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention based on park prescriptions which will be co-designed with community partners. We will test our intervention in populations in Canada and Australia to assess whether it can reduce the likelihood that someone with prediabetes will convert to diabetes. Because exposure to nature may result in other 'co-benefits' we will test whether park prescriptions lead to better mood and quality of life. In addition, we will examine whether a digital smartphone app and/or 'nature coaches' are an effective way of supporting people with prediabetes to make positive behavior changes after they receive their park prescription. If successful, this research will transform diabetes prevention practices by offering a simple, effective, and sustainable solution to support people who have a high risk of developing diabetes to become more physically active and to stay socially connected within their own communities. It will also guide urban health policy decisions to create more supportive environments for communities that need it most. This first-of-its-kind transdisciplinary research will enable us to implement evidence to achieve equitable and impactful solutions for diabetes prevention in 'real world' settings.