England (Commonwealth Union) – Type 2 diabetes (T2D) usually occurs when the pancreas does not make sufficient insulin. A study has found that South Asians could possibly achieve type 2 diabetes remissions by undergoing a structured weight management programme. The study found one third of participants lose over 10% of their body weight.
The findings from the STANDby trial were led by the University of Glasgow using a formula diet as ‘total diet replacement’ for up to 12 weeks in ethnic South Asians and saw adequate weight loss was achieved by approximately 40% of all participants permitting remission of their type 2 diabetes.
Professor Mike Lean, at the University of Glasgow’s School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, said: “Until recently, people have really not taken type 2 diabetes or its treatment seriously enough. Our study has produced an impressive outcome, reversing an often dreadful disabling chronic disease, and another very strong message that the crucial mechanism underpinning type 2 diabetes remission is weight change with loss of liver fat. We hope our study will offer hope, and increase support, for this ethnic group at particularly high risk, with healthcare providers prioritising evidence-based weight management for remission of type 2 diabetes.”
25 adults of South Asian ethnicity participated in the study within the UK, who were between18–65 years old, with type 2 diabetes for four or less years and with a BMI of between 25 and 45. Participants were randomized to immediately begin either total diet replacement, which was approximately 850 kcal/day for 3 to 5 months or postponed intervention as a usual care control arm during this period.
Intervention impacts were tested in an initial randomized comparison powered to identify significant weight loss, and in a broader observational evaluation, after the first control group had also got the intervention, to determine remission impact size in a bigger number.
