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Evidence summaries

Long-Term Non-Pharmacological Weight Loss Interventions for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Lifestyle interventions produce modest weight loss among adults with type 2 diabetes. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 22 studies with a total of 4659 and follow-up from 1 to 5 years. The pooled weight loss for any intervention in comparison to usual care among 585 subjects was 1.7 kg (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.3 to 3.2), or 3.1% of baseline body weight among 517 subjects. Other main comparisons demonstrated nonsignificant results: among 126 persons receiving a physical activity and behavioral intervention, those who also received a very low calorie diet lost 3.0 kg (95% CI -0.5 to 6.4), or 1.6% of baseline body weight, more than persons receiving a low-calorie diet. Among 53 persons receiving identical dietary and behavioral interventions, those receiving more intense physical activity interventions lost 3.9 kg (95% CI -1.9 to 9.7), or 3.6% of baseline body weight, more than those receiving a less intense or no physical activity intervention. Comparison groups often achieved significant weight loss (up to 10.0 kg), minimizing between-group differences. Changes in glycated hemoglobin generally corresponded to changes in weight and were not significant when between-group differences were examined. No data were identified on quality of life and mortality.

    References

    • Norris SL, Zhang X, Avenell A, Gregg E, Brown TJ, Schmid CH, Lau J. Long-term non-pharmacological weight loss interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Library Number: CD004095. In: Cochrane Library, Issue 02, 2005. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Primary/Secondary Keywords