During the first period of the project, the following studies and tasks were completed by the Feel4Diabetes partners:
1. Two systematic literature reviews were conducted to identify which are the vulnerable groups with regard to type 2 diabetes development and the most important (sub-) behaviours related to risk factors for type 2 diabetes development in vulnerable families
2. Focus groups with parents, grandparents, teachers and health promotion professionals were executed in the six intervention countries participating in Feel4diabetes to identify the key barriers and facilitators from the social and physical environment related to risk factors for type 2 diabetes development in vulnerable families
3. Two literature reviews were conducted to identify school-based programs aiming to promote healthy eating and physical activity, with emphasis on socioeconomic position and vulnerable groups and research programs focusing on the identification of adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes and on interventions for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in those high-risk population groups
4. A local and national Stakeholder Advisory Board was established in the six intervention countries, along with an international Stakeholder Advisory Board, consisting of international and national policy makers
5. Two surveys to identify the existing guidelines and policies, as well as the current practices and availability of human resources and infrastructure for the prevention of type 2 diabetes, were conducted in the six intervention countries
6. The questionnaires to be used for the impact and outcome evaluation of the Feel4Diabetes-intervention were developed, along with the relevant databases. Moreover, studies to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaires and the intra- and inter- observer reliability of the measurements performed by the researchers from the six countries, were conducted
7. The municipalities/areas in the six intervention countries where the Feel4Diabetes-intervention would take place were identified. Approvals from the relevant local authorities were taken. The recruitment and baseline measurements with the families started, using common protocols, tools and procedures across the six countries
8. The tools that would be used to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Feel4Diabetes-intervention were developed
9. A communication and dissemination plan was set for disseminating Feel4Diabetes-study’s main outcomes to stakeholders and target groups
During the second period of the project, the following tasks were completed by the Feel4Diabetes partners:
1. The intervention material was finalised in English and further translated and adapted to the local needs of each of the six intervention countries
2. The baseline measurements were completed
3. The 1st year of the Feel4Diabetes-intervention was completed
4. A process evaluation plan and relevant tools, along with their databases, were developed to assess whether the Feel4Diabetes-intervention was implemented as planned
5. The 1st follow up measurements were completed
6. All data retrieved were entered in the relevant databases
During the third period of the project, the following tasks were completed by the Feel4Diabetes partners:
1. The 2nd year of the Feel4Diabetes-intervention was completed
2. The 2nd follow up measurements were completed
3. All data were entered in the relevant databases and analyzed to assess the impact and outcome of the intervention
The key findings of the studies conducted during the first, second and third period of the project were disseminated in two international meetings
