How Is the DPP Doing?  

Class Overview

This one-session after-core class was developed by Linda Delahanty, MS, RD, and Ellen Anderson, MS, RD, Lifestyle Coaches at the Massachusetts General DPP center.  The purpose of the class is to update participants on some of the local and national study data and motivate them to work harder toward their goals by remembering their contribution to the whole.  The class also gives participants a chance to meet one another, share successes, and provide ideas for upcoming after-core classes.   (Note:  Code this class as a one-time get-together.)

To do before the session:
C	Reserve conference room.
C	Prepare materials:
C	Slides or overheads of the national and local data from monthly reports on clinic rankings.  
C	Survey of possible upcoming after-core classes with scale for ranking from most to least favorite.
C	Low-fat refreshments.

1.	Weigh participants privately, then have the group assemble.
2.	Introduce the staff.  Have participants introduce themselves and say how long they have been in the DPP.  You may also want to ask participants to share a little bit about their experience thus far as a DPP lifestyle participant, what it means to them to be in the DPP, where they are from, etc.
3.	Present some of the national study data.  For example, you may want to include the number of participants that have been randomized to each study group, the names of the centers participating (e.g., show a slide of the map of the United States with dots at each center), and the time remaining for recruitment.  You may want to ask the principal investigator at your center to do this presentation.
4.	Present a report of some of the local data, with a focus on lifestyle.  For example, you may want to include the number randomized to each study group, the number of lifestyle participants who have completed Session 16, the number in the after-core, and the percent of participants who are at their weight loss and activity goals at your center compared to  other centers (see the How Is the DPP Doing? graphs in Appendix G, Tool Box, Section 2 of the Lifestyle Manual of Operations--carefully review the script for guidelines on how to present the graphs, remembering that the purpose is to motivate participants and not to be discouraging, even if the data is not all positive).  Remind participants that the weight loss and physical activity goals are two separate goals.
5.	Ask participants to reflect on the weight loss and physical activity data and share their own strategies for success, what has helped them.  What do they think would help the lifestyle group move forward with their weight loss and activity goals?
6.	Explain that part of the DPP protocol is to offer 3 group classes per year during the after core, with each class lasting 4-6 sessions.  Summarize what classes have been offered so far.  Provide a written list of the classes you may be offering in the coming year(s) and ask participants to rank the classes from most to least favorite and to indicate the most convenient time of day and day of the week for them to attend a class.      
7.	Express appreciation for the efforts made by the participants to reach their lifestyle goals.  Answer questions.

To do after the session:
C	Complete group log.