Our Research
SSBC is grounded in rigorous scientific research. Here's the evidence behind the program.
Evidence-Based Approach
Small Steps for Big Changes was developed at the University of British Columbia by the Diabetes Prevention Research Group, led by Dr. Mary Jung. The program is based on the landmark US Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study, which demonstrated that structured lifestyle intervention could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%.
Our team has conducted multiple studies to validate and optimize the program for Canadian community settings. The SSBC program has been tested in pilot studies, randomized controlled trials, and pragmatic community-based implementations.
Key Findings
58%
Diabetes risk reduction with lifestyle intervention (DPP)
↑ Activity
Significant increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
↓ HbA1c
Improvements in glycated hemoglobin levels
Sustained
Behaviour changes maintained at 6-month follow-up
Selected Publications
Efficacy of a diabetes prevention lifestyle intervention in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes
Jung ME, Bourne JE, Beauchamp MR, Robinson E, Little JP
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2015
View Publication →Small Steps for Big Changes: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial testing a behaviour change program for diabetes prevention
Jung ME, Bourne JE, Beauchamp MR, et al.
Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2020
View Publication →Translating the Diabetes Prevention Program into a community setting: A pragmatic trial
Jung ME, Bourne JE, Little JP
Translational Behavioral Medicine, 2018
View Publication →High-intensity interval training as an efficacious alternative to moderate-intensity continuous training for adults with prediabetes
Francois ME, Durrer C, Piber KH, Desmond C, Jung ME, Little JP
Journal of Diabetes Research, 2017
View Publication →