Feasibility study for efficacy of group weight management programmes achieving therapeutic weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of traditional diabetes and weight management advice to short‐term use of a very low calorie diet combined with traditional education in a group setting for people with type 2 diabetes.MethodsA 12‐week, non‐randomised dietary intervention was used including a control and treatment group in a community setting targeting obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Participants attended a pilot programme aiming to lose 5–10% body weight. Main outcome measures included percentage weight loss, change in HbA1c and total cholesterol.ResultsAt 12 weeks more participants in the treatment group achieved significant weight loss of 5–10%, an average loss of 6.6 kg and a significant change in HbA1c (P = 0.017). Overall there was no significant changes in cholesterol for either group (P = 0.9).ConclusionsThe study demonstrates the feasibility for short‐term use of a very low‐calorie diet for medically significant change in weight and HbA1c in obese people with type 2 diabetes and could provide a realistic framework clinical management of weight in a group setting.