Results from a clinical study conducted at the Temple University School of Medicine and published today in the journal Postgraduate Medicine(1), show that a pre-packaged, portion controlled meal plan helped overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes lose significantly more weight and reduce their A1C test scores (a 90-day measure of blood sugar control) by almost a full point greater than those following a standard hospital-based diabetes support and education program, according to the findings. This weight loss was also associated with significant reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol and waist circumference.
The research team, led by Dr. Gary Foster, Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University School of Medicine, followed 69 (49 F, 20 M) overweight people with type 2 diabetes, a body-mass index of 39.0 +/- 6.2 kg/m2 and a hemoglobin A1C of 7.5 +/- 1.6%. Participants were randomly assigned to either a portion-controlled diet (Nutrisystem D) or a diabetes support and education program (DSE).
In the study, the Nutrisystem D group lost significantly more weight (8.2 +/- 5.2 kg compared to 0.6 +/- 2.6 kg) (p < .0001) and experienced greater reductions in A1C levels (-0.88 +/- 1.10 versus 0.03 +/- 1.09; p < .001) compared to the DSE group after three months.
"Weight loss brings impressive improvement in the control of diabetes," explains Dr. Foster, the principal investigator of the study. "People with diabetes have to perform mental gymnastics when they attempt to lose weight- balancing carbohydrates, fats and proteins with overall calories, all while keeping their blood sugar in check. The complexity can cause many people to become frustrated and give up."
"The pre-packaged and portion controlled Nutrisystem D meal program seems to alleviate some of those potential diet pitfalls for people with diabetes by providing nutritionally-balanced and convenient meals," continues Dr. Foster. "A structured plan empowers overweight people with type 2 diabetes to transition from feeling overwhelmed by meal planning to instead making healthy food choices that can have a positive impact on both weight loss and blood sugar control."
The Diabetes - Diet Connection
More than 23 million Americans suffer from diabetes. Nearly all adults with diabetes are overweight, and more than half are obese.(2) In research studies, even modest weight loss (5-7% of total body weight) has been shown to improve blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease in overweight people with type 2 diabetes.(3) Other clinical studies have shown that weight loss within the first three years of being diagnosed with diabetes, can lead to long-lasting health benefits, even if the lost weight is eventually regained.(4)( )Furthermore, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in general, every percentage point drop in A1C blood test results (e.g., 8.0% to 7.0%) can reduce the risk of microvascular complications (eye, kidney and nerve damage) by 40%.(5)
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has emphasized the need for structured programs that emphasize lifestyle changes, including education, reduced fat and energy intake, regular physical activity, and regular participant contact. Programs like these can produce long-term weight loss of 5-7% of starting weight and reduce the risk for developing diabetes, according to the ADA.(6)