A large scale study published in the international journal JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that by losing a few kilograms of weight, the risk of Type 2 diabetes is reduced.
The research led by the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University shows how small changes in the lifestyle, physical activity, and diet of people with pre-diabetes can help in reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by half. The study found that by reducing two to three kilograms of weight as well as increasing physical activity reduced the risk of Type 2 diabetes by about 45% (40 to 47%).
The team trial tested an intervention in simple lifestyle through which people succeeded in making small achievable lifestyle changes leading to increased physical activity and weight loss. These changes were sustained for around two years as the lost weight was not put back on.
Professor Mike Sampson, Chief Investigator of Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study (NDPS) said that the research team is delighted with the results since this is the first study to find how lifestyle can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. With this study, a significant effect in Type 2 diabetes prevention has been found. He further added that there are around eight million people in the UK with pre-diabetes and this study definitely is a great news for them.
Professor Max Bachmann, co-investigator of NDPS, said that for every 11 people who received intervention from NDPS, one was prevented from getting Type 2 diabetes. This is a real breakthrough for the team. Professor Collin Greaves who jointly led the NDPS development from the University of Birmingham added that this approach offers a way to pre-diabetic patients to take their lives in a different direction.