Implementation and evaluation of a primary diabetes prevention programme for young adult employees in Japan: A non‐randomized controlled trial

AIM: To determine the effects of a primary diabetes prevention programme created for healthy young adults. DESIGN: This study was a non‐randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The participants were 20–39‐year‐old employees of two automobile sales companies. The intervention group (N = 154) received six original educational brochures and films created specifically for young adults, while the control group (N = 157) received none. Data were collected pre‐intervention and immediately after and 10 weeks after intervention. Change in knowledge about diabetes, its prevention and health management were measured. RESULTS: Overall, 129 interventions and 141 controls completed the trial. In items related to diabetes prevention, the intervention group increased their knowledge relative to controls (all p < .05). Awareness of susceptibility to diabetes also increased more in the interventions (p = .029). The interventions also improved more with items related to dietary behaviour (p < .05). This trial has been registered with UMIN‐CTR clinical trial (UMIN000023749).