Diabetes and Weight Loss:

Weight Loss Helps Prevent Diabetes

A few months ago (March 2005), the American Diabetes Association announced findings from the comprehensive Diabetes Prevention Program. The DPP was conducted at over 25 medical centers nationwide and involved thousands of participants who volunteered to have their habits observed and to follow dietary and exercise recommendations. All participants had been diagnosed with "pre-diabetes," a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet in diabetic ranges. Continuing on their regular path, more than half of those people diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop full-blown type 2 diabetes within a decade.

Participants were divided into two groups. One half was given dietary recommendations. The other half got the same dietary recommendations, plus the recommendation to exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five times a week.

The results show those who included daily exercise in their routines and followed the diet recommendations cut their risk of developing diabetes by 58%. The reason? Those who made the recommended changes in their lifestyle lost "a moderate amount" of weight. In a surprise to researchers, those in the treatment group had a substantial chance of reducing their blood sugar level to normal, something that had been assumed was impossible.

According to this study, losing weight not only prevents a worsening case of diabetes, it reverses the damage that obesity causes to insulin-producing cells.

How much weight loss does it take to have an effect? The key is in the definition of "a moderate weight loss," which is 5-7% of your body weight. In other words, depending on your body weight, a loss of as little as 7-10 pounds can make a hefty difference.

The recommended diet and lifestyle suggested by the American Diabetes Society is an ideal program for steady, gradual weight loss -- the kind of weight loss that stays lost and doesn't creep back. The results continue to come in, but the message is clear: losing pounds and burning fat, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet can help prevent many health problems. Why wait till you're diagnosed with something? Start today -- and it may never happen.