The Benefits of Weight Loss and Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)

A study conducted by the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group found that a modest reduction in body weight can affect a patient’s risk of developing diabetes.

Weight loss was the dominant predictor of reduced diabetes incidence compared to changes in diet or physical activity in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). DPP* results reported that losing 1 kg (1.1%) of body weight was associated with a 16% relative reduction in diabetes risk†.

In patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance or diabetes, modest weight loss can lead to meaningful outcomes;

A modest 5% to 10% body weight loss is achievable and can result in clinically meaningful outcomes with respect to the prevention of type 2 diabetes and improvements in glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes.

The available evidence strongly contends that once successfully shed, the weight loss must be maintained to ensure that the clinical benefits, such as the prevention of type 2 diabetes and improvements in glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes, endure.

* The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was a randomized clinical trial that was conducted in 27 centres in the U.S. The purpose of the DPP was to determine whether the progression to diabetes from a state of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) can be prevented or delayed. The DPP examined an intensive lifestyle intervention that included moderate-intensity exercise to achieve and sustain at least 150 minutes per week of exercise together with a healthy diet to achieve and maintain at least a 7% loss of body weight. This group was compared with a group given standard lifestyle recommendations. Participants (n=3,234, randomized and followed for 2.7 years) were aged ?25 years, had a BMI of ?24 kg/m2 (?22 kg/m2 in Asian Americans), and had Impaired Glucose Tolerance plus a fasting plasma glucose of 5.3-6.9 mmol/L (or ? 6.9 mmol for American Indians). The primary outcome of the DPP was the development of diabetes on an annual Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) or semi-annual fasting glucose measurement using the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (fasting plasma glucose ?7.0 mmol/L or 2-h plasma glucose ?11.1 mmol/L after a 75-g OGTT that must be confirmed with repeat testing). † After adjustment for changes in diet and activity. ‡ A survey with 2,004 Canadian patients to assess specific recommendations from the Canadian Obesity guidelines: measuring Waist Circumference and screening for weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes.

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