In the first trial of its kind in the world, researchers at Monash University's Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) will examine the benefits of a gastric banding procedure on overweight people with Type 2 diabetes.
Lead investigator Professor Paul O'Brien said until now gastric banding surgery was reserved for people who were obese - with a Body Mass Index (BMI) rating greater than 30.
"We know the benefits of weight loss in obese patients and we now want to find out if people who are moderately overweight will benefit from weight loss more efficiently and permanently using gastric banding and therefore put their Type 2 diabetes condition into remission," Professor O'Brien said.
Professor O'Brien said the benefits of gastric banding surgery in the reduction of Type 2 diabetes in obese patients was proven following clinical trials at CORE two years ago.
"We cannot assume from that research that the gastric banding procedure would also be the best treatment option for those who are overweight (BMI 25 - 30). There are possible differences in the background drivers of the disease that may be significant and currently we do not offer the gastric banding procedure to people who are not obese," Professor O'Brien said.
Fifty volunteers are being sought to participate in the randomised trial. Half will undergo gastric banding surgery, the other half will have their Type 2 diabetes monitored and given assistance to lose weight through diet and exercise.
"It is quite hard to lose weight and to keep it off. Two out of every three adults in Australia are overweight and most have tried, often many times, to lose weight and keep it off but most are unsuccessful," Professor O'Brien said.