Weight No More: a randomised controlled trial for people with type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated whether a newly developed, dietitian led, weight management programme ‘Weight No More’ was effective at helping patients with type 2 diabetes, who are established on insulin therapy, to lose weight in both the short and long term.Forty‐nine patients were recruited to this randomised controlled trial using convenience volunteer sampling. Patients were randomised into either a control group (n = 20) or an intervention group (n = 29). The intervention group underwent the Weight No More programme consisting of eight 11/2 hour group teaching sessions. The control group received their standard diabetes care of an appointment with the dietitian on an annual basis.Measurements of outcome variables were taken at baseline, four months (end of intervention), six months and 12 months post‐intervention. At four months the intervention group saw a significant decrease in weight of 2.2kg (p<0.01) and in HbA1c of 0.9% (p<0.01), and insulin use reduction of 10.1 units (p<0.01). The control group also had a significant decrease in HbA1c of 0.3% (p<0.01), although this was less than the intervention group; no other significant changes were seen. At six and 12 months post‐intervention there were no significant differences when compared to baseline measurements in either group.The Weight No More programme is an effective short‐term treatment option for overweight patients with diabetes. However, when compared to standard care, the beneficial effects of the programme are lost after six months and 12 months follow up. Further research is required to establish weight maintenance strategies and cost effectiveness. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons.