The study provides new evidence for the benefits of weight loss for patients with type 2 diabetes

Researchers at the School of Population Health at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have provided new evidence of the health benefits of weight loss efforts leading to diabetes remission for patients with type 2 diabetes.

For participants in the weight loss trial who managed to achieve remission, that is to reduce the need for medication and reduce their HbA1c levels (a measure of blood sugar control), the research found that there was a 40% lower rate of cardiovascular disease and a 33% lower rate of chronic kidney disease in this group.

While previous trials have shown that significant weight loss through diet and lifestyle can reverse type 2 diabetes, new research published in Diabetes is among the first to show that reversing diabetes, in turn, affects cardiovascular and kidney disease. The research was led by Professor Edward Gregg, Head of the RCSI School of Population Health.

The study, called Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes), followed more than 5,000 patients over a 12-year period. The magnitude of the risk reduction was greatest for participants with evidence of at least four years of remission.

Using the lessons learned from this study, we can help inform diabetes treatment methods and improve the quality of life of people with type 2 diabetes. It has highlighted the importance of weight loss in achieving remission from type 2 diabetes and then long-term positive cardiovascular and renal disease outcomes’.

Professor Edward Gregg, Head of the RCSI School of Population Health

During the study, the effect of intensive lifestyle intervention was compared with that of diabetes support and education on cardiovascular disease and other long-term health conditions. It was noted that although 18% of participants achieved remission at some point during follow-up, the proportion of participants with current remission had decreased to 3% by year 8 of the study, highlighting the challenges of weight maintenance using lifestyle interventions .

RCSI researchers collaborated on the study with colleagues at Wake Forest University, Brown University and other study sites in the United States.