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

Abstract

Aim The 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. Methods A 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. Results At 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). Conclusions The 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.